Butterfly Gradient Skittles

Welcome back, ladies! Boy is it HOT outside today. It's going to get even hotter as the week goes on for us here in VA. I decided on doing more nail art today. My last nail post I did ladybugs, today I have butterflies! This one is also a re-creation from a Pintrest find originally done by Beads. Nails. Food. Pairing the gradient with the butterfly look was so gorgeous I immediately bookmarked it in my head to do later. I have been getting a nice little collection of shimmer polishes so I decided to pair a shimmer with a corresponding color for my gradient. Lots of polishes and pictures for this one so hunker down there, girls.

Butterfly Gradient

butterflies and flowers (that's a Gerbera daisy from my garden)

Little Miss Amoki admiring Momma's nails from afar.

Dpow smelling the daisy

Skittle Gradients before butterfly-ification

Colors used:
   ● thumb: ZOYA Midori w/ ZOYA Ivanka
   ● pointer: ZOYA Arizona w/ ZOYA Myrta
   ● middle: ZOYA Lolly w/ ZOYA Kimber
   ● ring: ZOYA Robyn w/ ZOYA Charla
   ● pinky: JULEP Anne w/ ZOYA Zara
   ● KONAD Special Polish in Black
   ● White Acrylic

all the polishes I used for this look!

I told you I used a lot! It took a while to achieve this look. I started with 2 coats of each base color (the ones listed first under colors used) and let it completely dry. I then used a small makeup sponge and applied the shimmery colors (second colors listen under colors used) on the tips down partially to the middle of each nail. I let this dry and then applied Seche Vite. It helps to use a top coat before adding nail art so if you mess up it's easier to remove your mistake without mussing up your base color too much. After that was dried I used my small art brush and freehanded the black butterfly lines and then added the dots with white acrylic using my dotting tool. After the detailing was COMPLETELY dry, I topped once again with Seche Vite to smooth out the look and help make it last. When adding top coat over any sort of nail art be sure it's 100% dry. If it isn't, the drag from the brush can smear your work.

Phew! Hope you could follow all of that. I love my summer toes and nails! I kind of have a mixture of things going on here; skittles, gradient, nail art... :-)

Thanks for popping in!

Green & White Gradient - Tutorial Included

Hello, ladies! Apparently I am having a green week in which I keep grabbing my green polishes to wear. There are so many different shades to choose from. Today I have a green and white gradient manicure to share with you. Gradient nails are always fun, doncha think?

taken in direct sunlight

taken in the shade

Colors used:
  ● FINGER PAINTS Papier Mâché
  ● ZOYA Midori
  ● ZOYA Ivanka

I actually made my first tutorial to show you how I did this look! My husband helped by taking the pictures for me so I could use both hands. What a great guy. I hope you find it helpful. :-)

click on image to enlarge

Thanks for popping in today! Have a great Monday.

"Leprechuan Puke" Water Marbling

Happy Friday, all! St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow so it's time to get your green on! I did a green inspired water marble that I have dubbed "Leprechaun Puke." I started by painting 1 coat of Finger Paints Paper Mâché on all of my nails, then I tapped them off and dunked them in my green concoction. Have a look :-).

Left Hand

Right Hand

I just cracked open a brand new bottle of Pure Acetone to clean up after the marbling, and there was a lot to clean up even with my nails tapped off. I don't know if I will use glitter again in marbling because it ended up everywhere! Also, after previewing my pictures, I will make sure to moisturize better before taking pictures. I apologize immensely for my cuticles and dried hands. The acetone really did a number on them. My sister just gave me and Elf Cuticle Pen that I will be more diligent in using after cleaning up with Pure Acetone. That being said, I always think marbling is fun and unique. If you haven't tried it before you should make a point to!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a safe and fun St. Patty's. May no Leprechauns puke on you!