Beauty, DIY, Essie, Fashion, Nail Art, Nail Art Tutorial, Nail Polish Swatch, Nails, Nails How To, Negative Space, Style

Negative Space Nail Art Tutorial Using Scotch Tape

If you’re in the mood to unwind with some nail art, I’ve got the mani for you! Read below and find out how you can execute a deep red wine negative space design.

Supplies: Base coat, deep red wine polish, hex glitter polish, top coat, scissors, Scotch tape, dotting pen (or toothpick) and tweezers.

You’re just six steps away from an intoxicating look.

1. Cut out ten small triangles using tape and scissors. The pieces should be small enough to create a negative space around it.

2. Prep the nail with your favorite base coat. I used Essie’s protein base polish ($8.50). Once the polish is completely dry and hardened, use the tweezers to place the triangles on your nails. Have fun with the placement!

3. Apply the deep red polish (I used Essie’s Bordeaux, $8.50) around the triangle to fill in the negative space. Quickly peal off the tape and be careful not to smudge the polish.

4. Place a blot of glitter polish on paper and use the dotting pen to pick up and apply sequins. I used Pure Ice’s Dazzle Me ($9.95).

5. Place the sequins on the nail to outline the triangle.

6.Once the entire design is completely dry, finish off with a top coat. I used Ocean Nail Supply’s My Quick Dry Nail Lacquer.

What do you think of this design? Let me know in the comments below!

Beauty, DIY, Essie, Fashion, Nail Art, Nail Art Tutorial, Nail Polish Swatch, Nails, Nails How To

Essie’s Steel the Way Nail Appliques Review

Essie’s “Steel the Way” sleek stick nail appliques ($10.25) come in a textured chrome honeycomb design meant to mimic a glam nail art look without picking up a brush. While the packaging says the manicure will last up to 10 days, mine came off while I was eating pizza.

The packet comes with a sheet of 18 stickers (ranging in size), a nail file, a plastic application tool and easy-to-follow instructions.

No base coat or top coat was recommended, so upon execution simply use your index finger and thumb to apply the suitable fitting nail sticker and even out any bubbles with the application tool.

Once perfectly placed, fold over the leftover sticker and file it off in a downward motion to get the right fit.

After completing the manicure I was extremely pleased with the beautiful design. The instructions did not recommend a top coat, so I left it as it.

About six hours after applying the nail appliques, I found myself grubbing on some pizza and noticed the extra sauce caused the sticker to lift up. By the time I was done eating, I lost a nail. That was no fun. My one recommendation: don’t skip the top coat if you want these beauties to last.

What do you think of nail stickers? Let me know in the comments below.

Beauty, China Glaze, DIY, Essie, Fashion, Mabelline, Nail Art, Nail Art Tutorial, Nail Polish Swatch, Nails, Nails How To, Negative Space, OPI, Orly, Style

4 New Year’s Eve Manicure Ideas

This year I found creative expression. I will remember 2013 as the year I discovered nail art.

Though I’m little late in the game, I don’t care. I am up to something I am passionate about and I am not going to stop learning and growing any time soon. In fact, by this time next year I will be a licensed nail tech (stay tuned to find more about that in a future post).

To celebrate the discovery I am sharing with you four of my favorite nail art trends of the year. Here are four gorgeous manicures you can rock on New Year’s Eve to summon fabulous vibes for 2014:

1. Glamorous oxblood nails paired with a gold and black glitter accent to ring in the new year in style. I’m wearing OPI Visions of Love and Wonderous Star from the Mariah Carey mini holiday set.

2. A twist on the tip of a black prism manicure to show you’re ready to take on new challenges and let the light in 2014. I’m wearing Liquid Leather and Prism by China Glaze.

3. Show off a sequin-filled negative space mani thats reminds others to keep their eye on you in the coming months. I’m wearing Maybelline Express Finish Denim Dash with gold glitter pieces.

4. Up the ante at the stroke of midnight with a tape design your future self will thank you for. I’m wearing Blanc by Essie, Mirror Mirror by Orly and All Sparkly and Gold by OPI form the Mariah Carey holiday set.