Stamping and Gradients, Finally Coming Together in a Cutesy Package

Are you ready for the most cutesy nails ever seen on this blog?  I'm starting off with a warning cos they're a bit ridiculous.  So I've been on a bit of a gradient kick lately ever since I figured out that you just have to follow all the tutorials out there.  I saw a particularly awesome pastel and paisley design on tumblr the other day and thought I'd give it a shot.  Not only did the gradient work, the stamping did too!

To start, I applied two coats of L.A. Girl Delicate and, once dry, painted strips of Revlon Pink Lingerie, Urban Outfitters Mojave and Revlon Cloud on my makeup sponge.  Three coats of dabbing got my colours nice and even, smooth.  I have trouble getting in around my cuticles so I helped the coverage along a little with applying the polish directly.  Once the gradient was dry, I waited another ten minutes before starting my stamping. Trust me, there's nothing worst than getting all the way to the stamp application stage only to have layers of wet polish ooze out under the stamp *shudder*.  So after waiting ten minutes I waited another ten.  Then, using my Konad Black Special Polish and BM-320, I actually got the stamp to apply.  I've always had issues with getting the stamp on the stamp but turns out being quick with the scraping and then using a rolling motion to pick up the image, I actually got a good result. 

 The Verdict: Of course I love this.  It took too long and was so risky with the stamping on the top for me not to love it.  My bf came up behind me as I was editing these saying "Oooh, who did those?" cos they were so awesome.  And cute, I like cute.

Ruffle Nails!

So, things have been a bit quiet around these here parts, it's ok, I've just been going through the process of getting a new contracting job, incorporating myself and all the endless paperwork that that entails.  Given I had a three week lead time before starting, I decided to peace out and go to Cuba for a week!  It's so beautiful there I can't even words.  I mean, this is where I was all week.  This was the walkway leading down to the beach:  

That's not a stock photo, I just held my phone up and that's what happened.  So I've been warm for a whole week.  

But you aren't here for the Cuba photos, you're here for the nails!  I wanted something bright and colourful before I left and since I haven't done ruffle nails in a while, I think it's time!

To start, I applied two coats of OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls.  It's a really good white base colour.  Next I started at the bottom near the cuticle and just brushed on Urban Outfitters Blue Jeans.  I then pulled out my most opaque cremes and my larger dotting tool and applied a row of dots at a time.  Just make sure you place the dots as far apart as you can, helps make it look extra ruffley.  In order from the bottom up starting with Blue Jeans, the colours are Urban Outfitter (UA) Rodeo Sweetheart, UA Flip Flop, Sally Hansen Celeb City, UA Westside, UA Mojave, UA Bandeau, UA Smush and Revlon Gold Coin.  In case you can't tell I've been on something of a UA kick lately.  They just have really nice colours for $4 each.

  

The Verdict:  Love Cuba, love ruffles.  I know that most of you are American and can't go but wow, it's so gorgeous and peaceful.  White sand, 25 degrees and sunny, turquoise water, so awesome.  I'mma post more too... :D

Rainbow Matte Glitter Needs a Pastel Rainbow Background

I'm always on the look out for new glitter. ALWAYS.  Because I like to wander around Etsy when I'm bored, I found a store that sells all kinds of interesting glitter sets.  A pot of rainbow hex and square matte glitter caught my eye and I had to have it.  The problem was then how to make best use of it.  Pastel rainbow gradient background then hand-placed glitter on top of it is clearly an answer. 

To start, I applied two coats of OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls, my current go-to white.  Once that was dry, I went to town with six pastel colours and a makeup sponge for the gradient.  I've tried sponging each colour on individually before but the colour transition is never smooth enough for me.  If you're careful and do thin stripes, you can fit six colours on nail-sized sponge.  I can't remember all the colours but stand-outs for me are Revlon Dreamer, American Apparel L'esprit and others.  I can find them if you need them.  Once my rainbow was done, it was on to the glitter.  I used my usual technique to apply the glitter.

The Verdict:  The glitter is good, I'm just not sure about the execution.  The gradient is fine, the glitter is fine, just together...eh.  Especially since it took so long.  I'll find another use for this glitter again, perhaps with the metallic rainbow glitter I got in the same delivery...

Ciate Pepperminty with Butterfly Water Decals!

Ok so it was a good thought but yeah every day is hard.  Let's go with "more", shall we?  I'm also going with trying to use all the stuff I order off the internet.  I found these butterfly water decals so those!  Needed a nice pastel colour to put them on, so Ciate Pepperminty was a good candidate.  Let's flutter by these butterflies, shall we?

Ciaté Pepperminty is a nice pastel blue/green creme.  It does need three coats to be properly opaque but it's fine with those three coats.  To help speed up the drying process, I added a coat of Seche Vite before moving on to my water decal.  Now, something important here.  WATER DECALS ARE NOT LIKE TEMPORARY TATTOOS.  DO NOT STICK THEM FACE DOWN.  Instead, sit them decal-up on a saturated cotton pad then use tweezers to slide the decal off.  I learnt this the hard way.  I don't mind though as they have a strong white backing, meaning you get really vibrant images.  Cover them with another coat of top coat and you're done! 

The Verdict:  Love the flutterbies, the decals themselves, and the polish.  Win all round!  I'm always happy when I can get a composition to look good, even if it's just sticking a bunch of decals on my nails.  Composition has never been my strong suit so if it can look cool then I feel cool.  YEAH.  Butterflies.