Just Playing Around

Hey, ladies! I hope you all are fairing well this Friday the 13th. I was trying to play around some with my nails. I didn't really know what I was trying to do and it turned out a bit wonky, but I wanted to share it with you anyway. I like the colors in it a lot. They're all Zoya, of course.

So, I tried nail dragging again. The first time I did this was here when I did tie-dye accents, which I loved! Well, honestly this is no where near as cool looking as those. Oh, why don't I just show you already! :-P

Colors used:
   ● ZOYA Midori
   ● ZOYA Robyn (base color)
   ● ZOYA Zuza
   ● ZOYA Bevin

I did not use a top coat because I liked the texture the needle left in the polish. I think the coloring is very aquatic. So, basically the color combo is all I really like about this. I'm not exactly stoked with the way it looks. Eh, you win some you lose some. Nail polishing can be quite the finicky art.

Thanks for popping by!

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.