Neon Dots

Hey Y'all!!  Ok, so yesterday stunk.  Seriously.  So I'm going to pretend it didn't happen and just start over today.  Today is going to be a good day!  Hear me Universe??  No crap today, ok?  LOL

So I know that it's still "technically"  Spring, but here in the southern corner of the US, it's summer.  That's why I have a fun Neon Dotticure for you today:

I Used:
Orly:  Tropical Pop (neon peach crème)
Orly- Saturated (dark purple neon crème)
Orly- Hot Tropics (dark magenta neon with a gold micro shimmer)
Dotting Tool

I started with painting three fingers with Orly Tropical Pop, a fun neon orangy-peach color.  Then I painted my ring finger with Orly Saturated, a deep purple neon...you know I loved this color!  And finally, I painted my middle finger with Orly Hot Tropics. This color is hot!  It's a dark magenta neon with gold micro glitter giving it such a gorgeous shimmer.

Then using the same colors, I started dotting away skipping the base color for that nail.  I used a large and small dotting tool, but you could use a toothpick and a ball point pen instead.  I dotted just one half of my nail.  I think the key to dotting is to overlap some of the dots.  It gives it a more random look.

I hope you enjoyed today's post.  And I really hope you have a fabulous day!  No more bad days for us!

Happy Polishing!!

 

Summer Challenge: Tiny Grains of Sand

Hey Y'all!!  How is your Tuesday going?  Mine is busy.  I just got a new camera and I'm so excited!!!  The wonderful hubby surprised me with it yesterday.  Now I can take pictures of my nails with a real camera instead of my phone's camera (but this post still has phone pics)  And, even better, I can now take pics of my now-a-teenager while she's dancing.  But first the hard part, trying to figure out how to work it!

But until then, I have the latest Summer Challenge ready for you.  Today's prompt is Tiny Grains of Sand, a dot manicure, so I have a Summery Dotty Gradient for you:

I Used:
Orly- Choreographed Chaos (light pink with light lilac shimmer)
Color Club- Gimme A Grape Big Kiss (bright red/purple)
Dotting Tool
Seche Vite Top Coat

I think this came out cute and looking like Summer.  And the best part is it's very easy to do.  I started with two coats of Orly Choreographed Chaos.  Then, using a large and medium dotting tool (or toothpick would work perfectly), I started making dots.  At the cuticle I made sure they overlapped to make a solid block of color, and then made fewer as I approached the tip.  Make sure to leave the tip plain.  Then just use a top coat.

Be sure to check out what the other ladies came up with for their Tiny Grains of Sand in the links below!  Happy Polishing!!

Summer Challenge: Dream Destination

Happy Thursday Y'al!!!  How is your day going?  I have a busy two days, today and tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to it and not looking forward to it...does that make sense??  Anyway, on to the nail art!!

Today's Summer Challenge is Dream Destination.  The destination was easy, Hawaii!!  I've always wanted to go.  Everything about the islands interests me.  It's funny, my first job was at a Hawaiian themed hotel in Florida (I don't know why but there are a lot of them in Florida).  And I use to love the Polynesian resort and show at Walt Disney World.   Plus, it doesn't hurt that I'm a huge Elvis Presley fan and so many of my favorite movies of his were in Hawaii!!  Ok, so here is my tribute to Hawaii:

I Used:
Finger Paints- Vintage Vincent (shimmery neon turquoise)
Sinful Colors- Cotton Candy (pastel pink crème)
Spoiled- Plastic Flamingo (neon pink crème)
Finger Paints- Pink Perspective (bright neon pink crème)
Dotting Tools (toothpicks would work too)

I went with a lei in the water, because it's the beaches that I want to see the most.  I really love how this turned out and it was really easy, I promise.  I started with two coats of Finger Paints Vintage Vincent.  Then I just used a dotting tool to make the flowers.  They are all in a row, like a lei.

Be sure to check out all the other Dream Destinations!!  And, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?  Let me know in the comments!  Happy Polishing!!

Dripping French Nails (& Tutorial)

Hi y'all!!  TGIF!!!  I have a quick and easy nail art design for you that is sure to get noticed, dripping French tips!  This came about because as I was swatching the Sinful Colors Spring collection, I lost track of time and had to take the teenager to dance.  And since I live way out in the country, I have to stay in town while she's in class.  So I had to run and my hands were two different colors (because I use both hands to swatch...now I think I know why other bloggers use only one, ha ha).  So this was my attempt to make my nails mesh.

I'm sure you've seen this design a hundred times, it's very popular, so I make no claim to have made this up.  And I have no idea who was the first.  This is my interpretation:

Left hand

Right hand

I Used:
Sinful Colors- Sugar n Spice (pink crème)
Sinful Colors- Sweet Tooth (lilac crème)
Dotting Tool (a pen would work great too)

To make this design, start with your base coat and allow that to dry completely.  Then using a large dotting tool (or a pen) place random dots on your nails.  I do this be placing a drop of polish on a glass plate I bought just for this purpose and then dipping the dotting tool or pen in the polish.  This will be the bottom of your drip.  Then dip your tool back in the polish and from your dot draw up towards the tip of your nail.  Once you have made all your drips, connect them at the tip.  But don't draw a straight line, vary the connections to make it look more realistic.

So how did I do?  Do they match? Ha ha ha!  I hope you enjoy this design, the combinations are limitless.  Going out?  Make your drips sparkle.  Anyway, I hope y'all have a fabulous day and as always, Happy Polishing!!

 



Dotty Pedicure

Hi y'all!!  I told you I had a lot for you today!!  I hope you have checked out my new tip on saving your hands from acetone and my review of OPI Stay the Night Liquid Sand!!  And now I have a new pedicure for you.  I'm so sorry because I seem to forget to post my pedicures.  But that is going to change starting now!!  (fyi: any of the manicures I've posted with the exception of water marbles, can be done on your toes too!!)

So here is my current pedicure (and forgive the scrunched up toes, but man it was cold outside when I took these):

I Used:
Sinful Colors: Black on Black (black crème)
Orly- Purple Crush (purple neon)
Dotting Tools (check out my tip page for household alternatives)
Scotch Tape

I started by painting my toes, alternating between the purple and the black (remember to use a base coat, just like on your finger nails).  I did this because I could fit the design on my big toes only.  One of the many curses of having small feet!  That and never finding grown up shoes in my size!!  Grrrrr!!  Anyway, if your nails are bigger then paint all of them with the purple.  My big toe was painted first with the purple.

When the purple dried completely, place scotch tape diagonally across your nail and paint a thicker coat of black.  Immediately remove the tape.  Then using the opposite color, place dots along that diagonal line:

Alternate the color and sides you dot.  In other words, dot one black dot on the purple side, then one purple dot on the black side.  Do this all along the line and it will look like the dots are melting into the sides.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  No one is going to get that close of a look.  Mine are a tad off, but my feet are so darn far away!!  Once that line is finished, dab on dots in the opposite color to fill in the space.

If you can do this design on all your toe nails, yay!  If not, I just painted my toes, alternating between the purple and black and then dotted them with the opposite color.  Don't forget your top coat.

I hope y'all enjoy this pedi, and I promise to be more vigilant on posting my pedicures.  As always, if you have any questions let me know.  Leave a comment below or email me (address is on the Contact page).  Happy Polishing!!

ABC Challenge: F, Valentine's French Tip

Ok that's a confusing title, lol!  It's time for our ABC Challenge!!  This week is F and I went with a Valentine's Day themed French tip.  I'm not really loving Valentine's Day this year...I have to go in for some tests on Friday and *shudder* the doctor has put me on a liquid diet until then!  Yep, no fancy dinner here...actually, no dinner here :(

But I've decided to put my bitterness aside, lol, and join in the Valentine's mani madness.  Here are my French tips:

I Used:
Orly- Frolic (bright pink crème)
Orly- Torrid (shimmery red)
Dotting Tools

I started with two coats of Orly Frolic, a gorgeous pink/neon-ish crème that I love!!  This is the first time I've used it and it's just such a perfect color.  Then using dotting tools (and remember you can use toothpicks)  I made the alternating hearts.  Just make two large dots then using the smallest dotting tool, drag the polish down to a point.  To add interest, and make room for more hearts, I alternated which way the hearts face.

I really like how this turned out, I think it looks cute.  And I'm not a fan of hearts.  I hope to have a new manicure for you tomorrow, but if not, I will see you as soon as the sedation wears off, lol!  Just in case, Happy Valentine's Day!!  And remember, anyone can be your Valentine, even your four legged friend! 

And if you like this design, please go to Orly's facebook page and vote for my manicure.  Thank you!!  Y'all are just the best and I SOOO appreciate each and every one of you!!

Be sure to check out all the fabulous designs in the links below!!  Have I told you how much I love these ladies?  See you soon and Happy Polishing!!

R31DC: Recreate a Manicure

Hi y'all!!  How are you doing today?  I'm on day 3 of solid rain.  Ugh!!!  It's so hard for me to get motivated when it's cold and rainy.  Although in all fairness, the sun did come out for about an hour just to tease us today.  But that's ok, at least I was able to get some pictures of my mani :D

So today is the last day of the Relaxed 31 Day Challenge.  So sad :(  Today's prompt is recreate a manicure.  I've known for a while I wanted to recreate Emma from Manicurity's camouflage manicure.  I haven't tried one of these yet and this seemed like the perfect opportunity!  Then Saturday night I was tricked by the hubby into watching "Battleship" and I knew I wanted to do the Navy's camouflage. Besides, my Daddy was a Navy veteran.  Here is my version:

And here is a sample of the Navy's camouflage (if you're like me and didn't know this even existed):

I Used:
China Glaze- Immortal (gray with blue shimmer)
City Color- Light Gray (light gray with silver shimmer)
China Glaze- Blue Iguana (blue crelly with pink and purple shimmer)
Sally Hansen- Petrol (dark blue crème)
Dotting Tool

I used China Glaze Immortal as my base and then, just as Emma did, I used two sides of a dotting tool to make the globs and slashes with the other three polishes.  But remember, you can use a toothpick, pin, or pen as a dotting tool.

I've had so much fun doing this challenge and absolutely adore the ladies in it.  I've made some great friends and I can't wait for the next challenge.  Be sure to check out their manicures in the links below.  Happy Polishing!!