The Nail Challenge Collaborative - August 2016: Neon

*purchased by me*

Hey there!  Today I have my third post for August's neon theme for The Nail Challenge Collaborative.  I have had this saved for a while, but didn't have time to write a post so sorry I'm a little late.  

I started with a gradient using Philly Loves Lacquer "Blue Kids On The Block" and "This Lime Around" from The Bright Stuff, Baby collection.  I love this neon collection and have enjoyed doing gradients with the polishes.  They've been perfect for this month's neon theme! 

For my middle and ring fingers I decided to do some stamping using Zoya Ryan and Born Pretty Store BPL-024 stamping plate.  I loved the big flower design on this plate, and I think it turned out great!  

I have had so much fun with this month's neon theme.  I'm actually going to miss it.  September's theme is Harvest Time which should be fun too! 

I hope you liked all of my posts for August.  Which was your favorite?  What would you do for the Harvest Time theme?

Please check out the other bloggers below.  Thanks for reading.  

An InLinkz Link-up

The Nail Challenge Collaborative - July 2016: 80's

*purchased by me*

Hey there!  July's theme for The Nail Challenge Collaborative is 80's.  One thing that always makes me think of the 80's is neon colors and geometric shapes.  We've changed the "rules" in The Nail Challenge Collaborative so starting this month we'll have to do a minimum of two posts a month, but can still do four with time permitting. 

I started with a base of Rica "Whiteout" then created a gradient using Philly Loves Lacquer "Sunshine After The Rain", "We've Got It Glowin' On" and "Hip Hop Marmalade". These colors are from The Bright Stuff, Baby collection which was their 2016 neon collection.  All of the polish names are based on Boy Band songs so of course I needed the entire collection! 

After the gradient dried I stamped using MoYou London "Black Knight" and The Pro XL 18 plate.  This is my first time using a MoYou London stamping polish and let me tell you it stamped like perfection. I will definitely be getting more stamping polishes from them in the future. 

I really love how this mani turned out.  The gradient worked out so well for me, and I love the stamping over it. It definitely reminds me of the 80's!
 

What do you think of this look?  What would you do for 80's nail art? 

 

Please check out the other bloggers below! Thanks for reading! 

An InLinkz Link-up

The Nail Challenge Collaborative - January 2016: Purple

Hey there and Happy New Year!  Today I have my first post for The Nail Challenge Collaborative January purple theme.   

For my first post I decided to do a gradient.  I used three colors from Zoya to create this look.  I started with a base of Megan, then sponged on Megan, Mira, and Pinta. 

I don't love gradients cause they tend to be messy. Thankfully latex barriers are easy to come by these days so I used Ellagee's Lickety Split and found it much easier to do a gradient.  Also, I ordered this little, circular sponge thing from China that helped so much with the application. 

I messed up a little on my index finger, but other than that I'm so happy with how this turned out. I love the color combo, and this was definitely one of my better gradients.  

To be honest with you I struggle with vague themes like this.  I need something more specific to come up with ideas so I decided just to do some nail art techniques I don't do often.  We'll see what I come up with next! 

 

What would you do for a purple nail art mani? Any techniques you think I should try? 

 

Please check out the other bloggers below.  Thanks for reading! 

An InLinkz Link-up

A2Z Series Week 18 - R is for Redo/Reboot/Recycle/Recreate

*purchased by me*

 

Hey there!  It's week 18 of the A2Z Weekly Challenge, and this week's theme is R is for Redo/Reboot/Recycle/Recreate.  I decided to redo a look I did before I was blogging and knew about cuticle care!  I used colors inspired by @polishpdxnails on Instagram and recreated her look. 

I used Orly Kiss The Bride as my base color than used a damp makeup sponge and did the gradient using Kiss the Bride and Rica Whiteout.  I applied the gradient twice to achieve this look.

Kiss the Bride is really pretty, but was streaky which is typical with pale pinks. I had to do three coats for full coverage and to have it even out. I don't have a picture of it alone as it was hard to capture in my lighting. I really like how it looked with my skin tone though. 

 

I'm kind of embarrassed to share this, but here is the original manicure that I was inspired to redo. As you can see the colors are different, and I actually prefer it the way it looks now with the lighter pink. Please don't judge me for how awful my cuticles were back then. This is over a year and a half ago.  

What do you think of this gradient mani? What colors should I try for my next gradient? 

Don't forget to check out the other bloggers participating in the challenge and remember to check back every Thursday to see all the creations.  Next week is S is for Silver.  For the complete A2Z Archive head over to the hubpage HERE! 

 

Thanks for reading!

An InLinkz Link-up

Halloween Manicures

*purchased by me*

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you're all getting more treats than tricks! This year I did a bunch of Halloween manicures that I want to share with you. 

Vampire Nails

I got this idea from Zoya, and absolutely love it. I used a base of Zoya Sooki than did the gradient with Sooki, Claire, and Raven.  I finished it off with KBShimmer Clearly On Top.  I am so happy with how this turned out! It's the best gradient I've done, and it's my favorite of my Halloween manis!

Blood Splatter Nails

For this blood splatter mani I used a base of Rica Whiteout and then with a straw I blew the blood splatters onto my nails using Zoya Riley.  I had seen this technique used before and had always wanted to try it. It's messy, but I loved how they turned out. 

Ghost Nails

For my ghost nails I used Rica Whiteout, Essie Licorice, Sinful Colors Citrine, and Zoya Purity. The ghost was done freehand with nail art brushes, and the dots/eyes were done with dotting tools. 

Frankenstein Nails

I saw a manicure like this that @mybelovednails did on Instagram, and thought it was a great idea for Halloween nails. I loved the Frankenstein's monster nails with a bride of Frankenstein accent and wanted to recreate it. I used Zoya Mitzi, Dovima & Purity and finished with Butter London Matte Finish topcoat. 

Friday the 13th Nails

Friday the 13th was my favorite horror series growing up so I knew I wanted to do a manicure in its honor.  I decided to do blood drips with a Jason Vorhees accent nail. I know my blood drips need some practice, but I love how Jason tuned out. I used Rica Whiteout, Zoya Sooki, and Essie Licorice to achieve this look. 

Candy Corn Nails

I wanted to do something different for my candy corn nails so I decided to do a gradient using Rica Whiteout, Zoya Pippa and Sinful Colors Citrine. Obviously I had some issues cause the white tops of the candy corn didn't show up in the gradient. For my accent nail I hand painted little candy corns over a base of Zoya Raven. I'm not a fan of candy corns, but I thought the were the perfect Halloween candy to use for a mani idea. 

Jack-o-Lantern Nails

I saw these Jack-o-Lantern nail decals from Lacquer by Lissa and knew I had to have them! I started with a base of Rica The Great Pumpkin, painted on black dots using Essie Licorice, and when the dots were dry I placed the decals on using tweezers. I really love these decals & the polish is absolutely gorgeous, but I think next time I use these decals they'll be over another base. 

Mummy Nail

Finally, I have my mummy nail for you. I wanted to do an entire manicure with mummies, but the only nail I was happy with was my thumb. He was just too cute not to share with you though. I used OPI Skull & Glossbones, Essie Licorice, and Zoya Purity to create this freehand mummy! 

I had a lot of fun doing all these different Halloween manicures. Have you done any Halloween inspired nail art? What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

Thanks for reading!