Laid-Back 31DC Day 31, Recreate someone eles mani

So it's the final day of the Laid back 31 day challenge and yes I'll be sad once it's over but on the other hand I'll be happy it's finished.  Two post each week seamed like an achievable target at the start. I was even a few days a head and had posts ready and scheduled but sadly work and life got in the way of regular posting and I fell behind on a few occasions. I'm sure no really minds as this IS the LB version and it is only for a bit of fun, It's been hard work at times but I've loved every day  :)

I've tried to recreate Erin @Nerdy for nails, Tape Mani http://nerdyfornails.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/laid-back-31-dc-tape-mani.html
The inspiration and by recreation below.

 

I've used stripping tape, 17 Halo (Silver), No17 Stay Perfect, Me! Me! Me! 250 (Pink), Collection 2000 Hot Looks, Scarlet 51 (Red) and Collection 2000 Lasting colour, Liquorice (Black).   I have changed the colour order on my ring finger because I wanted this finger to look just a little different from the others.

Laid-Back 31DC Day 29 Inspired by another blogger

At the start of the challenge I though to myself I must make a list and keep an eye out for a mani that I'd love to copy and re-create but as ever my good intentions fell a little short I ended up with a list but it was so full and vast that I had such trouble picking and choosing.

With the weather outside turning away from sunny spring and heading towards a wet and miserable I wanted to do something bright, cheerful and up lifting. What's more summery than a summer fair on a village green. Marques, home-made cakes, flower displays, pet pageant and of course bunting!!

This mani is inspired by laura @ She who does nails http://www.shewhodoesnails.com 
Her blog is great and really must encourage you all to take a visit. http://www.shewhodoesnails.com/2013/04/its-my-birthday/#comments

I've used 3 coats of No7 Stay Perfect Snowflake 140 as i wanted a clean bright white base which would help the bunting stand out. Using Models Own nail art pens in Pink, Yellow and Blue to draw the bunting triangles then a black to outline the bunting creating an almost cartoon style bunting.

 

 

Laid-Back 31DC Day 28, Inspired by my favourite colour

If I'm asked what my favourite colour is I will always answer green but for some strange reason I don't like green on my nails.

I like black but find it a little too harsh to wear frequently and I love silver so this mani is a combination of the both. Silver base with little black studs.

Models Own Sterling Silver NP046 is this fantastic silver that shimmers and sparkles in the sunshine with a metallic finish it's just perfect for spring time sunshine. I added the line of black studs and as much as I love this look - it just never stays put. I coat the nail in a strong and thick top coat place the studs down in a row and then add another lay of strong top coat but yet I still manage to loose studs! how can I keep theses little buggers in place??

Laid-Back 31DC Day 27, Inspired by me

It was my Birthday on 1st May and I had originally had the idea to do either birthday cake or some kinda birthday celebration inspired nails but I just couldn't decide what to do.

I tried to re-create something that I like to do in my spare time, other than nails. I like vintage, retro and antique curiosities which generally means anything and everything. My boyfriend Andrew is the main collector and trader who is often found at car boots, fairs and action houses getting stock or buying things to fill up the house!!

I have tried to create the rusty and worn in effect that is found on my items we have in the house. Think shabby chic without the white paint on a new items, think original and full of character :)

I applied a base colour of No7 Stay Perfect, Hot to Trot 360 waiting until it was fully dry and then quickly layered No7 Stay Perfect, Totally Teal 330 over the top and used a scrunched of piece of cling film and dappled the teal off. this created the patchy and worn in look that you find on old metal and wooded items that I just Love.

 

Laid-Back 31DC Day 26, Inspired by my country

It's not hard to tell that I'm from the UK when look at my nails. I've used the iconic Union Jack flag design which just screams Royal Britannia and God Save the Queen. Feeling very patriotic looking at them once all finished!!

The base colour is Models Own Feeling Blue, NP031 which I layer over a layer of Models Own Snow White NP042 to help the blue 'pop'. I used L.A. colours, Art Deco in White to create the white stripes of the flag. I have a few Art Deco nail art bottles and they are great because they have a wide range of colours and I keep finding them in my local PoundShop for yep you guessed it £1.

When it came to added the red I really struggled as I don't own any thin/fine nail art brushes. I must do some research, read a few reviews and take the plunge and order a set. Any recommendations or advise on how to look after them? will soaking them in nail varnish be OK or will I need something else to clean and look after the brush?

In the end end I turned to a red sharpie permanent pen to draw on the red. Not the neatest of finishes but this was the best I could do without the right tools.


I hope you like the Royal Guard doll :)

      

Laid-Back 31DC Day 25, inspired by my childhood

I must have spent hour after hour playing with lego when I was younger. I didn't have any 'sets' just one huge lego brick collection made from odds and sods, left over parts from my older brothers lego sets. This Lego was kept in the large wooded toy chest and trust me hours/days of fun can be had!!

I've used 3 GCool (stamping polish) Blue 12, Green 6 and White 41. Rimmel Sunshine 280. Models Own Red Alert NP019. Models Own Snow White NP042 and No7 Grey Skies 10 (for the shadows on the lego bricks)

 

 

Laid-Back 31DC Day 24, Inspired by a game

Another short post and it's a day late, bad Linzi.

Today's (yesterdays) challenge is inspired by a game. This is THE ultimate game, the king of all games and the one of the most addictive games ever!

Pacman

 

Laid-Back 31DC Day 23, inspired by Nature.

Today has been full of sunshine which means the doors and windows have been open, the birds have been twittering and everyone in a great mood.

My mani was inspired by all the cherry blossom tress that are out in bloom right now. I love the sight of blossom on tree so much more than spring flowers.

I've used La Femme Beauty Ultra Blue which just screams blue cloudless skies. I wanted the blue to be thin and light-weight and I'm a tad annoyed that you can still see the whites of nails so I can't have it all.

I used a brown shaprie pen to draw the tree branches but in the photo it's come out slightly purple which is strange. Then once fully dry I used a dotting tool to create the outer petals in Models Own Pastel pink NP033 and Models Own Lili's pink NP082 for the middle petals. I then layered it with a coat of OMG London fairy dust to add a touch of shimmer.

 

Laid-Back 31DC Day 22, Inspired by fabric

This is the cushion I use to rest my tray on when I use my laptop or do my nails, sadly I don't have a nail desk but one day I might.

These nails were fun  to do but fiddly. I started with a base of No7 Stay Perfect, Snowflake 140 and then stuck down lots of tape in rows. I Careful dabbed on each colour in turn and then swiftly pulled of the tape. my pinkie finger came of worse as I hadn't let the white base dry fully so it's pulled some of the white of making it look messy.

I've used MissGuided, Orange. Models Own, Green Flash NP079. La Femme Beauty, Claret. Rimmel 60 seconds, Purple Reign 605 and Models Own, Mushroom NP096.

 

Laid-Back 31DC Day 21, Merge or Melt

I've not been at home for the last few days, we had a little house drama involving a faulty shower. Thankfully it's all sorted now and we have a new shower and running water again!

So this post is a quick one.I was aiming for sunset/lava effect.

I've used Models Own, Sun Kissed NP122. Models Own, Zest A Peal NP125 and Models Own, Blooming Pink NP123.

Laid-Back 31DC Day 20, Texture

I don't own any texture polishes, I haven't really made my mind up if I like them or not. I do like the liquid sand effect and the leather look but how are they when it comes to taking them off, hard work or easy?

So today's nails are my take on texture without texture.

I've used La Femme Beauty, Claret which is a stunning shade of red. I'm really getting back into red polish just recently. Then I've carefully placed stripping tape over the red and then applied a matte top coat to create the effect of texture.

Laid-Back 31DC Day 19, Favourite polish

This was an easy one, with clear winner in my eyes. I'm a big (huge) fan of Models own and my collection of polish is dominated by this brand. My favourite polish by far is from the Hed Kandi Collection, Ibiza mix HK04. It's jam packed with multi coloured glitter in different sizes in a super glossy clear polish. Ibiza mix is great in just one coat over nude nails or over a coloured base.

For this challenge I've also used some other favourites: Snow White NP042, Jade Stone NP083, Beths Blue NP063, Pastel Pink NP033 and Lemon Meringue NP030 and created a pastel ombre topped of with Ibiza mix.

I'd love to hear what you think, please don't be shy :)

 

 

Laid-Back 31DC Day 18, Oldest untried

After a bit of a search I stumbled upon this little beauty from Ruby and Millie. This polish came from a gift set a few years ago and I've just held onto it. I love red nail polishes but don't tend to wear them very often which is why this little gem has waited about 3 years to be used!

It goes on well, a little thin so I needed to use three coats to get an even finish. It's super glossy and bold. I'm so glad I've rediscovered this polish I think I've got a new favourite red :)

Laid-Back 31DC Day 17, A new technique for me

I was given a nail foil set was back at Christmas and it's been on my list to try but just never got round to doing it/them.

I decided on a spring theme as it's Easter Sunday and the sun has even made an appearance.

This little kit is from Rio and has a selection of 10 foils, a sticky nail glue adhesive, a 2-1 topcoat, small pot of gold glitter, a thin detailing brush and a pink hoof shaped tool - this little thing is great, I use it lots.

The design has yellow daffodils, bright pink flowers and green leaves, very spring time don't ya think!? ( It's the second in from the right on the top row. in between the animal print and the wood effect)

The technique is a simple idea. Apply a thin layer of the nail adhesive to the nail. It doesn't work on the naked nail so you must have polish on first - this part is easy. You let the adhesive sit for about 3 minuets and the place a pre-cut square of foil on the nail and then rub, rub lots. After a minuet of rubbing you just need to gently peel of the foil and the image is then left on the nail.

A few times the image didn't fully transfer a I needed to go back and touch it up...frustration doesn't come to close. it's easy to fill in any gaps but it's just a tad fiddly.

The effect I love and I'll be happy to try the other foils but to be honest I'm in now rush as it took forever to do because you have to do each nail in turn.

Laid-Back 31DC Day 16, Colour Opposites

Laid-Back 31DC Day 15 and it's the half way point!!

This post is a day late because I just couldn't decide what colours to use. My first idea was Black and White but I've done that (and failed) so my second colour combo idea was Red and Green but I couldn't bare the thought of having this on my nails. I needed to find a clash of colours that I was happy with and that I was comfortable on have on my nails whilst at work tomorrow - this was not easy task!

After lots of trial and error trying to match up colours I settled on Yellow and Purple the next step - how am I going to use these two contrasting colours, what design was I going to do?? This particular challenge has definitely been a that - a challenge! I had started (yesterday) with grand designs and big plans but with the time it has taken just to decide on the colour i have to say I have chicken out on doing any designs I opted for a gradient.

I'm happy with them now, but I don't think I'll be in any hurry to clashing nails any time soon!!

To help the yellow pop I used No7 Snowflake 140 to build the white base. The Yellow I've used is Rimmel Lasting finish, Sunshine 280 and the Purple is Rimmel 60 seconds, Purple reign 605. Rimmel have a great selection of string colours and because they dry it makes them perfect of gradients because you don't have to wait an age for each layer to dry.

 

 

Laid-Back 31DC Day 15, Watercolour

My watercolour inspired nails have a very 80's feel. I went for spring colours to stick two fingers up to the weather - what's with all the snow at the moment?

I've used No7 SnowFlake 140 as my base. Great name considering! This polish is opaque in two coats and is almost off white in colour.  It's a clean white but not a bright and bold white just an subtle 'off white'. I then selected two pearly polishes, La Femme Beatuty, Misty Rose and La Femme Beauty, Liberty both have shimmer and sheen finish and I choose my two favourite chalky pastels Models Own, Beths Blue NP063 and Models Own, Jade Stone NP083.

The technique is very simple and quick to do first do a base colour, wait to dry then splodge of the colours you want to use in random places on the nail and then kinda squish and swirl then polish down using thin plastic. I used the outer packaging a mail order was sent - finally came in handly!

The overall affect is good, a little messy and does require a but if clean up (I need to practise this more) but I think I'll be trying this again. This challenge has introduced me to do techniques that I don't think I would have tried unless I was doing the challenge and had to do them!

I'd love to hear what you think!