Gold and purple

I'm started this blog as a place to share and record the nail art that I've done. Sometimes life and work gets in the way and I'm not posting as much as want. So to compact this I'm going to do another nail challenge as this gave me motivation to post more frequently so keep an eye out, it starts late September :)  

Onto todays short post. I've used Models Own Purple Imperial which is super smooth and reminds me so much of Cadburys chocolate, I had this on my nails with a matte top coat and although it looked great, I did forget to take a photo :(  It needed something extra so I reached for my Models Own Gold Rush, some nail tape and wham!

The combination of the matte purple and the highly sparkly gold looks fab in the sunshine and just love how they turned out.

OPI, What Wizardry Is This?

A friend at work very kindly let me try her OPI What Wizardry Is This? The only catch was that I had to do her nails first!

This is the first time I've used OPI and to be honest I think I need to add some to my collection. The formula is great, the brush is fab, it has lasting power, no chips for 3 days and surprisingly easy and straight forward to remove.

Its textured, but not so much that it feel rough to the touch just slightly grainy ( like sand!) I spent most the day when they were fast painted stroking and running my fingers over the nails, strangely calming and therapeutic! The colour is stunning a deep metal gold with matt finish but because it's textured the sunshine bounces of the little grains and it makes the gold 'dance' and sparkle. just beautiful.

Models Own, Zest A Peal

It's August which should mean its summer but the weather is a bit up and down at the minuet. one day it blistering hot, blue skies, summer time bliss the next day it rain storms, thunder clouds and lightening, 

This Models Own Zest A Peal is perfect to lighten the mode and insert a burst of colour into my day :)

I've used two thin coat and the colour is so pretty. it has a slight shimmer in it so when it the sunlight (when we have any!) it sparkles and looks amazing.

Tiger stripes

You cant beat a bit of animal print to cheer yourself up :)

I've used Models Own Lemon Meringue, Miss Guided orange, Models Own black nail art pen and 17 nail xtras, glitter top coat.

Please ignore the messy edges, I didn't have time to do a decent clean up, had to rush off to work.

 

Splatter nails

I first tried this technique during the laid back 31day challenge and I loved the simplicity and the effect that can be created just by using a straw.

The base is  Models Own, Red Alert and the black and white are stamping polishes. I tried using a normal white but it wasn't pigmented enough and just looked watery and milky. That said I like how it looks altogether, an unintentional bonus :)

How many nail polishes do you own?

I was asked the day, how many nail polishes do you own? I paused, thought about it and then realised it's been a very long time since I last counted so I didn't know and guessed at 40. The person who asked the question looked a little shocked and taken back when I said 40. Is 40 a big number? Not at all but for a non-polish addict, 40 seamed obsessive. oops.

Once home I went straight to the corner where I keep my polish and started to count. The final count was 102 bottles... 50 of this is from one brand, Models Own.

 My initial guess of 40 was seriously out. I can't seam to walk past Boots, Superdrug or even a Poundland without popping in and just having a quick look (it's surprising how many little gems have been found in Poundland) I don't buy a new polish with each visit, I just wish I did! 

Missing from the collection, Splash box set, Ice neon box set and the fruit pastel box set, theses I can confidently say will be added to the collection very shortly!

  

I've been MIA again, work has been getting in the way and to be honest posting on the blog has taken a back step. I'm hoping to get back into regular posting so please bear with me :) x

Quick and simple nails are what I've been wearing recently. I've used my favourite pink from Barielle, Princess. It's a soft pale pink that reminds me of marshmallows! I've then added Barry M, black crackle over the top. The photo's make the pink look really pale but in real life it's bolder and fabulous.

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.