Nail Art Wednesday & Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  My mother is a breast cancer survivor so this cause is near & dear to my heart.  Today I chose to pull out Lynderella Angel Food from my un-trieds & broke out my stamping plates using the breast cancer ribbon.  This was so simple & my mani was finished in 10 minutes.  I hope with all the awareness that you guys have your yearly mammograms & take the time to self check.  Early detection is key!  Thanks for reading!

Nail Art Wednesday - Galaxy Nails

Welcome to Nail Art Wednesday's everyone!  The reason I included nail art in one of my weekly mani's is because I wanted to challenge myself.  I admit to not being the best nail artist.  Actually, I suck really bad but if you've been following my blog, you know that i'm determined to push myself to practice so that I can continue to get better & grow.  So Wednesdays will be a hoot!  Good or bad, i'm posting the outcome!

Last week I saw so many amazing Galaxy Nails due to the Nail Art Challenge that's going around.  I was always too afraid to try it because it looks so challenging.  But I was inspired by so many nail artists that I decided to take the plunge & try it.  I used a youtube video tutorial to complete my mani.  I will post it after the pictures.  Here is what I came up with.  My nails didn't turn out perfect but I'm still stoked at how they turned out.  *Pats self on back*.  Have you tried Galaxy Nails?  I would love to see yours!

This is the Youtube Tutorial that I used

Peacock Nails Plus Gradient

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you enjoyed your weekend.  Mine was super busy & it always seems to go by too fast!  Anyway, as most of you know, i'm trying to get better at doing nail art.  A few weeks back I purchased some water decals from the Born Pretty Store.  I decided to use them in this design.  I must say I actually enjoy using water decals.  They are super easy to use.

Isn't it pretty?  I feel in LOVE with this! 

** I started with a 1 coats of Wet n Wild White polish as my base & let it completely dry. 

** Next I sponged on Rescue Beauty Lounge Aqua Lily & Zoya Zuza at the tips of my nails.  Note:  You can barely see the sponging affect at the tips because the water decals cover it but trust me its there.  

** I added 1 coat of my quick dry top coat & let my nails dry completely.
** Next I followed the directions on the water decal label & added the decals to the tips of my nails..
**Lastly, I sponged Aqua Lilly further down the base of my nail, cleaned up my cuticle, & sealed it with a top coat.

VOILA!!!!  All Done!!

I am so happy with this look!  You can purchase the water decals from here.  I must admit, shipping took forever on the decals but considering they were so cheap it was worth the wait.  So what do you think?  Will you be trying water decals?

Gucci inspired nails

Happy Saturday everyone!  Things have been so hectic since school has started back & it's finally starting to slow down.  Today I have for you a really fun mani.  It could be considered a bit tacky, but I actually think they are super easy & fun.  Recently I was surfing youtube & came across "Gucci" nails.  I thought they were so fun & different.  For the life of me I can't find the video that I referenced but i'm in no way taking credit for being the originator of these nails.   If I come across the video again, I'll be sure to post it here.

Edit:  I found the video.  Link posted below.

To achieve this look, I used "Gucci" tip water decals & rhinestone jewels.  This mani took me all of 10 minutes to complete.  I purchased the decals & rhinestones from The Born Pretty Store.  I purchased extras so if anyone is interested, feel free to email me.  Anywho, enough of me yapping!  Enjoy!

Check out the tutorial Below

Quilted Chanel Inspired Nails

Happy Sunday everyone.  Today I was watching youtube videos & stumbled across dullikeglitter's station.  She has an awesome quilted nails tutorial & I decided to give it a try & let me tell you I loved the outcome!

I used Sinful Colors black polish, Orly's Matted Satin Finish, Sally Hansen Insta Dry Silver Sweep & Stamping Plate KD12 for the CHANEL logo.  I love how it turned out!  It was so easy!!

 

Dreamcatcher Nails

Happy Friday everyone.  A few days ago I stumbled across some dreamcatcher nails on IG from @memyselfandmynails & fell in love!!  I'm trying my best to get better at nail art so I decided to take a stab at them.

I used Wet n Wild white for my base & did a sponge gradient using China Glaze Peachy Keen & Wet n Wild n Wild Teal Crazy.  Next I had drew the dream catcher & feather using Sinful Colors basic black & a small dotting tool for the dots.  I finished it off by using China Glaze Fairy Dust & Hare Polish Electric Flame then I applied some teal rhinestones.  Although they didn't turn out quite as nice as hers did, I still loved them.  I wore them for 3 whole days (which is a stretch for me considering I change my polish almost every day)!!!!  Let me know what you think...

Inspired by decorative tape

Happy Saturday everyone!  I hope your weekend has been full of joy.  Although I haven't purchased a new camera yet, I've decided to continue to post pictures of my progress with nail art.  My trustee iPhone will have to suffice until I can afford a new one.

Today's mani was inspired by a roll of tape.  The colors were so beautiful to me so I decided to take a stab at recreating the pattern.  Although I'm not the best nail artist, I enjoy trying.  Once again I want to thank everyone for the well wishes & concern & for welcoming me back.  It means so much to me.

 I used Sinful Colors white as the base, China Glaze Blue Year's Eve & Different Dimensions Gnarly for the pattern.  This was so simple to do.  Let me know what you think.

Red & Black Paint Drips

Happy Wednesday everyone!!

Once again i'm attempting nail art inspired by someone else.  So many people have done this mani that it wouldn't be fair for me to to single out 1 person.  I was inspired by everyone who had done this paint drip mani.  I'm not a red fan, but I received so many compliments on this mani yesterday. It was great fun attempting to recreate this awesome look.

So how did I do?  I'm so happy my nail art skills are getting better by the day!!  Practice, Practice, Practice!!

Brain Cancer Awareness ~ Dry Marble

Hi ladies,

One of my lovely instagram buddies MariJo is holding a nail art contest to bring awareness to brain cancer.  This was an excellent way for me to practice some nail art as well as help bring awareness to this awful disease.  The only rules were you had to follow her on instagram & the nail art had to be in gray.  So I decided to try dry marbling.  Let me tell you this did not come out great but I still liked it.  Hopefully my next try will be better.

Quilted Hearts - Trying my hand at Liquid Jelly's Tutorial

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Today I decided to share with you my attempt at completing a tutorial by written by one of my absolute FAVORITE bloggers Liquid Jelly  She completed this tutorial a few weeks back & I always kept in the back of my head that I wanted to try it.   Although my daughter told me i'm too old to be wearing this mani, I couldn't help but try.

I'm horrible at nail art but I was so proud of myself.  Although it's far from perfect, it just shows me that maybe next time I can do a little bit better.  I video'd myself during the process & it seemed everything in the world went wrong but I hoped to be an inspiration to other newbies who are afraid to jump in & try!  It's not perfect but I still love it.  Thank you Liquid Jelly for sharing your awesome talent!

 

 

Thanks for reading!!

Crystal

NOTD Purple Stamped & Mattified....

Happy hump day everyone.  Today I wanted to share with you a mani I wore this past weekend.  I have been looking for Essie Matte About You for MONTHS & I finally received it i a swap from one of my dear friends on Instagram @nailartfanatic & I couldn't wait to use it!  I squealed when I opened my package because I had no idea she was going to include it.  It was a huge surprise.

Also, I just wanted to share that I am an amateur polishaholic.  I created this blog because I love polishes & nail art and decided to learn from other blogs.  I'm not in any way an expert.  I'm just a grandma enjoying sharing my addiction with other & learning everyday to paint my nails.

I appreciate everyone who takes a glimpse of my blog.

Base:  Nicole by OPI "My Prized Possession"
Stamping Polish:  Kleancolors Metallic Fuchsia
Top Coat:  Essie Matte About You
Image Plate:  Konad M57

I must say's I love My Prized Possession on it own.  It's a gorgeous purple.  As you know, Purple & Pinks are my fav lol but I'm determined to tackle becoming a proficient stamper.

I think it came out awesome!  I'm so proud of myself.  Let me know what you think.

NOTE:  All pics were taken with my good 'ole iphone.  This is for fun right? lol.  I may invest in a good camera soon but I'd rather just buy more nail polish.

Avon Sunshine Stamped...happily surprised!

Hello everyone,

Anyone who knows me, know that i'm a huge fan of purple & pink polishes.  In fact most my collection is comprised of purples & pinks because that's what I gravitate to.  I usually have to force myself to go out my comfort zone to purchase other colors.  Well, today I wanted to go out of my comfort zone & share with you a beautiful YELLOW polish by Avon called Sunshine.

I was very nervous to even try this polish because I have deep dark brown skin & I was afraid I would look ridiculous wearing it, but I saw one of my Instagram buddies post some pictures of her wearing yellow a few days ago & it looks stunning on her brown skin.  I'm so glad I did because I think it looks amazing on me!!

I decided to add some stamping with my Cheekly X-Large plate A for fun

More pictures after the jump:  Warning Pic Heavy

Max Factory Fantasy Fire Stamped plus Tutorial

It's day 2 & I still can't stop looking at Max Factory Fantasy Fire.  Especially when the sun hit it.  But I wanted something different today.  I saw a leopard tutorial on several blogs & decided I would give it a try.  I'm not giving credit to anyone as i'm unsure where this originated from.

I used the video below as a guide but changed a couple of things to make it easier for me; however, if you're unable to view videos, I've posted the picture tutorial as well.  I love the outcome..ESPECIALLY in the sun.  



Max Factor "Purple Leopard" Nail Tutorial from Dionne Loftus on Vimeo.
Instead of using the Max Factor pen, I used Konad image plate M57 & Kleancolor polish in black (this stamps even better than the Konad black & doesn't smudge!!)
Here are my results.  What do you think?  I'd love to see yours as well.

Picture Tutorial after the jump:  Warning Pic Heavy

Inspired by The Nailasaurus--Zebra Nails

Afternoon everyone.

I originally saw this design on The Nailasaurus's Blog & I fell completely in love.  It was absolutely amazing to me & I knww immediately that I wanted to give it a try one day  Please go check her out as ALL her designs & swatches are flawless.

Items Used

Base Color: OPI Did You Ear About Van Gough
Layered Color: Jesse's Girl Fire Fly
Stamping Color: Kleancolor Black
Stamping Plate: Konad M57



I began with 2 coats of OPI Did you Ear About Van Gough from the Holland Collection. I have to admit I fell in love with this nude. It applied like butter & had a super gloss without any top coat.

Next I layered it with 1 coat of Jesse's Girl Fire Fly.

Next I taped off most of my nail & painted the edge with Kleancolor Black. After that dried, I stamped it with the same black using Konad Stamping plate M57