Chevron inspired

Ever since my friend Faye requested to have her nails painted with Chevron design (but later turned out something different), I have made it a point to try this design again. So I did try but they were all a disaster especially those I did with tape. However, not wanting to give up on tape and knowing that there must be easier ways to achieve that chevron design using tape, I tried again yesterday.

Eureka!

Well, at least this time it doesn't turn to any disaster. ^_^









They look ok, right?

Colors used:
Revlon Foxy as base
Tony Moly GL01
tiny rhinestones

Peacock inspired on Saran wrap

Never really know that the clingy plastic wrap is also known as Saran wrap in some parts of the world. It's only known as cling wrap here despite the many brand names. ^_^

So when I discovered saran wrap nail art, I was wrapped with curiosity. Thanks to Internet, I have another info added in my Book of Knowledge. A better tutorial can be found at Nailed It.

I painted on base color with China Glaze Exotic Encounters. By the way, I have not done any swatches on my recent purchase of four colors from the twelve colors in the China Glaze Safari Collection 2012. Will try to do that soonest. So okay, back to the point... after letting the base color dry, I painted a coat of Elianto Indigo Shine on top of the base. While the color is still wet, I took a tiny piece of cling wrap shaped in tiny ball, dab on the wet color picking some of it. Refer tutorial on link attached above. Then, I put on a coat of  Seche Vite fast drying top coat so that I will have smooth surface to paint on the peacock feather.

Using acrylic paint, I drew the peacock feather on thumb and ring finger nails to serve as accent nails. For the detail colors in the centre of the feather, I used Tony Moly GL01, OPI Fly and Elianto Indigo Shine. I put on another two coats of Seche Vite on every nails to seal the colors properly.







I had fun!

Nude Water Droplets

This is my second nail art for the Nail Art for Work project.

For those who love painting their nails with plain colors but is getting tired of plain look. This could be our solution. Put some rhinestones and your otherwise plain colored nails will instantly be a sizzle to the eyes.

I painted all nails with Revlon Creme Brule, top them off with Seche Vite top coat. While they are still wet, I added some clear round rhinestones. Since I wanted a water droplet look but doesn't have any droplet shape rhinestone, I picked on two different sizes of round clear rhinestones to emulate the shape of water droplet. Well, maybe not so much alike but I'm still contented with the outcome.







A close up shot of the rhinestones.


I would have worn this for a straight five days if it ain't because there's only three days work this week. And so, I can think of other, much energetic colors to wear.

Cheers!

Yellow Mellow

Yesterday, a friend asked to do her nails for her upcoming beach vacation. She is much in love with grey and yellow. But when I finally done with her nails, they shouted more yellow than grey. I think they're nice. After all, she's gonna be on flip flops all the time.And the color just popped!



And oh, I have recently added new polishes into my collection.


Top: My first China Glaze bought at Nail Fiesta. F-B; Sunshine Pop, Kalahari Kiss, Elephant Walk and Exotic Encounters.
I am so in love with China Glaze On Safari Collection for Fall 2012. However, due to budget limit I can only purchase 3 from 12 bottles available. I wanted something yellow for my friend's nail art. Hence the Sunshine Pop.

Bottom Left: Revlon Foxy,Chic and Creme Brule.
Bottom Rigt: Tony Moly GL01, GT01



I couldn't let the weekend passed without trying one of those colors I've purchased, could I? I painted China Glaze Kalahari Kiss as base and sponged on Revlon Chic on the tip. Not so great and so they only stayed on my nails for just one night. ^__^

Stripes Water Marble

I fell in love with this thin lines water marble the moment I laid eyes on it. I learned the technique from Collete's Youtube tutorial.

It didn't work the first time I did it. The stripes looked too sparse. After thorough learning, I've managed to at least create the thin lines that supposed to make up for this stripes effect. I haven't nailed it yet but I will. Ha!

And I am currently working on a nail art project of my own. It always bogged me that I could not simply wear nail art to work without attracting a few young eyes that eventually causing some kids to try out on their nails as well. Which is of course, not an encouraging thing considering the rule that students cannot paint their nails during schooling days. So I came up with this project to create five nail art designs that are subtle to be worn at work yet pretty enough to be ogled when spotted.

So this is the first design in attempt to complete my Five Nail Art for Work series. I think I have pretty done it well cos one of my colleagues mentioned that she wouldn't notice it if it wasn't because I purposely shoved my nails to her. I know, I know...why on earth paint your nails if you don't intend to show them off. Well, let's get back to the main purpose again...subtle yet with visible vanity. Get it?

Anyways. here are some photos.

Almost there but not quite...


Re-do all finger nails except the index nails but I got way too much with cleaning, the color along the cuticle end up looking ugly.This photo was taken at night time with flash on.


Last try...


Excuse the bubbles on me nails. I have yet to master the art of minimizing bubbles in this water marbling technique.




I will definitely try this technique again soonest and with different color combo.

Colors used:
Faceshop BR803 as base
Eleanor ENP005, Eleanor ENP062 for water marbling

My name on it!

Now this is great!
A nail art enthusiast like me and a nail polish named after my name!

I found this nail polish at Polish Art Addiction. Love her blog by the way. She's one amazing nail artist. Her talent in freehand painting is superb.

Now, that Caroline. It comes in purple with blue holographic sparkles. Although I always tell myself that I'm no big fan of purple shades, it always amazes me that when given a choice, I usually ended up with purple shades (besides neutral colors).

I might want to purchase this soon!

Clean Up Eezi video tutorial

Previously, I've shared a pictorial on how to clean up your cuticle post painting. I thought of posting up a simple video tutorial on this one as well.

So here it is.
My apology for the bad lighting in this clip. Hope this tutorial helps nonetheless.



This needs practice just as applying nail polish requires lots of practice to get nicely painted nails without much mess. I agree with most nail artists that the best way to get a perfect painted nails still lies in the skill of applying nail polish on nails so that you will get neater painted nails without worrying much about cleaning the mess.

So yeah, practice away!

Gradient, gradient!

My nails are all very short at the moment. It will take at least a week or two to get them grow to a length that is just nice for nail painting. So, while mine are bare, I work my hands on others instead.

Sister in-law was in town last weekend and she was the perfect candidate to satisfy my fix for nail painting. And she opted for gradient. IMHO, gradient is one of the easiest nail art and the quickest to dry. I was more than happy to do gradient on her nails.

For her event, she wanted something bright. She personally had her eyes the OPI Niki Minaj collection and finally chose Did It On 'Em for her first nail art. I used another darker green from Oroloy since that is the only green shade I have that can mix well with Did It On 'Em's intense 'brightness'.



Colors used:
OPI Did It On 'Em as base
Oroloy Dark Green

For her second nail art, she wanted something subtle. Something that is easy at work, yet still catchy to the eyes. Again, she wanted gradient. So I did gradient on her nails leaving only the ring fingers as accent nail. On the accent nail, I painted poppy flowers (again!).





Colors used:
OPI Play The Peonies as base
OPI Brisbane Bronze
Acrylic paint for poppy flowers

She's happy.
I am happy too!
^__^