Get Nailed: Lazer Show Mani

I've seen similar versions of this mani all over the place and it is super fun! The best part about it is that it is not only super easy, but there are so many color and design combinations that it's practically endless! I first attempted to do this with my handy scotch tape, but scotch tape and Milani Holographic polishes do not mix. Every time I removed my tape design, the polish would come off too. So I dug into my nail art box of treasures until I found a suitable replacement for the scotch tape... nail art tape. Nail art tape is a cheap and fun way to decorate your nails, so you should invest in some and just keep it around as it's pretty versatile.

1.) For this manicure, after my clear base coat, I painted each a finger a different Holographic color and let dry completely.

2.) Next, I cut small pieces of nail tape and placed them in my desired designs on my nails.

3.) Third, I took a black Milani polish and painted over the entire nail, tape and all.

4.) Quickly removed the tape while the black polish was still wet.

5.) Follow with a clear coat only if you are not using matte polish, and viola! there it is, an easy, quick and unique design that reminds me of an awesome lazer show!

Get Nailed: Reinforcement Rings

Here is a fun spin on the Half Moon Mani using those handy little reinforcement stickers once again!

You will need:
Clear base coat
Two contrasting colors
Clear top coat
Reinforcement Stickers


Instructions:
Paint nails with clear base coat, let dry.

Paint nails with "lighter color", or "non-textured" color" ( I used Certainly Cherry first and Purple Glitter second.) Remember to let dry completely or the stickers will adhere to the polish and rip off sections of it upon removal.

Once nails are COMPLETELY dry, place reinforcement stickers randomly on your nails depending on the shape you are looking for. (These clear ones are hard to see as I ran out of white ones but I assure you they are there.)

Paint over each sticker beginning at the rounded edge and brush outwards. Once the nails are painted with the second coat, remove stickers and you will have fun rounded, shapes and edges on your nails.

Let second coat dry and top with a clear and/or fast drying top coat and viola!

Serape Nails for Cinco de Mayo

It's that time of the year again... time to drink some tequila. Hopefully I don't fight a giant in a dark alley while in a dress and cute heels. That may or may not have happened to me before.

To celebrate, I decided to paint my nails like a serape! I hope they bring me warmth during the cold night.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! AY AY AY AYYY!

Get Nailed: By Dr. Seuss

My daughter and I have been reading Dr. Seuss beginner books lately and I came across a set I really like but hadn't read before; Put me In the Zoo, and it's sequel I Want to be Somebody New!. These are really fun books (that happen to be on sale) by Robert Lopshire and they teach you all about colors and other fun things. She seemed to really like the main character who is a yellow and red spotted leopard. Since we were already having mommy and me time by reading together, I figured we could paint our nails (and our faces lol)drawing inspiration from this kids book.

Get Nailed: By the Dead

Get nailed by the dead? Whoreders say what??? No I'm not talking about necrophilia you pervs, I'm talking about Obituary Newspaper nails, duh! So now you're probably even more confused which perhaps means that you are eagerly reading to find an answer to what all this cray cray-ness is about.

Well, I'll tell you, it's about this awesomeness!
                                             
                                                  BAM!!!!

Get Nailed: Orale Ombre

Ombre is all over the place these days. First it was ombre hair, and now it's ombre nails! Ombre is a French word that quite literally means "shaded". Think, gradient colors. Since I am a (non) certified nail artist, I thought I would tackle the ombre nail for your viewing pleasure. There are three different ways you can do it.

Type 1: Take five shades of the same color and paint each nail a different shade. For a slightly more unique look, you can take one dark color that is your absolute fave, and on a flat non-porous surface (table top, Ziploc bag, paper plate, etc.) make four tiny puddles of polish. Next, add small amounts of white polish to each puddle to lighten them up, each to different shades of the same color.

This look is the most simple, and sort of reminds me of junior high. It is still pretty, but by farm the most simple of the three.

Type 2: Take two contrasting shades (one lighter than the other) and using the lighter color, paint your nails as normal. While polish is still a bit tacky. Make sure you have a make-up wedge or an eye make up sponge applicator and dab it in the darker polish. Next, using the applicator, sponge it onto the nail, heavier on the tip, and lighter towards the middle.

This look was big on the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 runways this year. They achieved this look by using an airbrush, but for those of us who can't afford to airbrush our nails all the time, I have a shortcut!You should get something like this, which is my personal fave!

Type 3: I like to call this one the "candy corn effect". There are two ways that I know of to achieve this look. You can simply take three polishes and do three horizontal stripes across your nails. When almost dry, use a clear polish on the entire nail to blend the look. Another clever way to achieve this look is to use scotch tape, as seen here!

Pictures from refinery29, QuirkyChic, and NailPolishReview

Get Nailed: Bloody Murder

What you will need:

Clear base coat
Red nail polish
Clear top coat
Toothpick (or other thin, pointed item)

How to do it:

1. As always, start with clean nails and apply a clear base coat.

2. Next, apply red only to the tips your nails a la French manicure, but messier. I used Revlon in Raven  Red.

3. Then, take a pointed tip item like a toothpick, I used a rubber flossing stick (yes,I'm serious) and using the same red polish, drag down from the tip to make thin "drippings" on your nails. This is what will give your nails that "I cut my fingertip off" look.

4. Lastly, apply your clear top coat to get that glossy, bloody finish & enjoy!

Your finished product should look something like this!

Get Nailed: Once You Go Black...

Once you go black you never go back! I'm talking about nail polish of course you pervs!

What you will need:

Clear base coat

Base polish(es)

White Nail Pen

Clear top coat

How to do it:

1. As always, start with clean nails and apply a clear base coat.

Get Nailed : A Stitch in Time

What you will need:

Clear base coat

Base polish(es)

Black Nail Pen
Clear top coat

How to do it:

1. Start with clean nails and apply a clear base coat.

2. Next, I applied 2 coats of  Essie polish in Lilacism to my left hand, and 2 coats of Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet to my right hand. You can use any color you like, but try to stick with lighter colors, or the stitches won't really be visible (as shown below). Make sure to let the polish completely dry before going on to the next step.

3. Once nails are completely dry, take your Sally Hansen (or any brand really) black nail pen and randomly draw stitches. You can draw anywhere from 1 -  3 "sutures" on each nail, any more than three and it looks too busy.

4. Let the stitches dry, and follow with a clear top coat.

Your finished product should look something like this!

Get Nailed: The Half Moon Mani

What you will need:Clear base coat
Light colored polish
Dark polish polish
5-10 reinforcement stickers
Clear top coat

How to do it:
1. Start with clean nails and apply a bas coat.

2. Apply 1-2 coats of the light base polish (depending on the coverage of the polish). Let the polish dry for 20-30 minutes.If you do not let your nails dry, you may peel off the nail polish when removing the reinforcement stickers.

3. Once nails are completely dry, place a reinforcement sticker on each nail with the outer edge of the sticker mimicking the shape of the moon of your nail.