Tips for Polishing Your Nails

Here are some tips that I'd like to share with you that have helped me to get the best looking nails. These tips can be applied (pun intended) to any kind of nail polish:

• The first coat is your base color, not to be confused with base coat. This layer sets the background, so to speak and allows you to build the opaqueness of the nail polish. For the first coat, dip the brush and gently wipe a bit off the side of the bottle. Apply light pressure evenly over the entire nail.


• For the second coat, load up the brush slightly more than normal and glide it over the nail, applying NO pressure. This particular method ensures that you get no streaks and your final look is nice and smooth.


• Make sure to allow adequate time to dry between coats. I'd give it 10-15 minutes before applying the second coat. For the final top coat, give your nails about 1 hour to fully dry. Allowing enough time between coats allows your nails to dry without bubbles.


• Apply the top coat in the same manner you applied the second coat of nail polish; loading the brush then gliding it over the nail with NO pressure.

 

Please excuse the dent in my index finger :( I was not being careful and doing too much before letting me nails dry.



So that leads me into my last tip. Let those nails dry before doing anything! At least one hour. Go watch a movie or put on a tv show or two while you wait.

NOTM: Mermaid Abstract Gel Nails

So I redid my gel nails for the "n"th time. LOL. I can say that each time = more practice so that's a plus :) I used the Ez Flow Gel It Kit which I purchased from Ebay for $29.99 as well as the Salon Edge 36W UV Nail Lamp, also from Ebay.

Now on the the design:

Click here to see the step by step!

NOTM: Royal Nail Art

I named this royal because that is what I thought of when I saw how the colors came together. I think the maroon and gold really characterize this look.

Here's what I used:

• Nicole by OPI - Shoot for the Maroon


• LA Colors Striping Polish (Gold Glitter, Black, White)


• Ruby Kisses French White **for the dots


• Reinforcement labels for the french tip **not pictured

Step 1: Stick on reinforcement labels to act as a guide for the french tip.

I personally do not like these. The shape is too circular and it does not fit the shape of my nails well at all. Also, it didn't form a good enough seal so some polish got below the guide--this could be user error.

Step 2: Add the french tip

Step 3: Add black stripes, white, and gold stripes.

Step 4: Add dots.

Finished look. This was taken the next day in natural light.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWTk-5akF4Y

My at Home Gel Nail Manicure

So I re-did my gel nails. I got some of it on the skin so the last manicure was lifting. I was sure to  be careful and clean the skin off this time before curing the gel. I think this set came out pretty good :)

Products used:

I first used my: Nail Tek Base Coat

Then I used two coats of China Glaze Champagne Bubbles

I then used two coats of this cheap gold glitter nail polish I picked up at a BSS years ago.

Next, the striping w/LA Colors Art Deco (black & white):

I then added dots using an orange wood stick and black & white polish.

I added some more white stripes, along with silver stripes and rhinestones.

I sealed with a gel top coat and flash cured two fingers at a time under my LED lamp for 10 seconds.

flash cure [flash] [kyoor]: to cure under light for a very short period of time.

Watch the video:

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqIKMlBdQ04[/embedyt]

Gel Nail Manicure

In my previous post, I talked about my gel nail manicure that I did. I like this pic and I just wanted to show it because it was taken in natural sunlight. At the time of this photo, the manicure was 4 days old. What I like about gel is that it stays on much longer than regular nail polish. I would have def had chipping by now w/o the gel top coat. The pink polish and the striping/dotting are all done with regular nail polish that has been sealed with a gel top coat.

 

 

 

My Gel Nail Extension Set + Nail Art

This is my first time doing gel nails on myself. I chose gel because I think it looks more natural. This is the kit I used.

Nail Bliss Pro SoakOff UV Gel Nail System.

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  I purchased mine at Sally's Beauty Supply for $30.99 w/my Sally's Beauty Club card and a $5 off coupon code (555148). If you order online, you can use coupon code: 555386 for 20% off. It is also available at Amazon for $39.99 + $5.95 shipping.

I also purchased a KISS LED lamp. I got mine at Walgreen's for $29.99.

See pics of the mani here:

Retro 80s Nails

Hello all! So last night I did my weekly manicure and the theme is 80s! I used a black base, different color acrylic paints and black and white striping polish.

Tell me what ya think!

New ULTA holiday promotions!!!!

Hey everyone! ULTA has just released NEW holiday promos!! Check them out below.

Beginning October 31 and running through December 25, ULTA will have 3 promotions offering a great discount through the holidays


$15 off when you spend $75 with promo code HOLIDAY75


$10 off when you spend $50 with promo code HOLIDAY50


$5 off when you spend $20 with promo code HOLIDAY20

These are just a few of the new deals. Check the ULTA promotions page at the top of the blog for more!

China Glaze - Bogie

So here's a polish I picked up from Sally's beauty supply.

 

Under Sunlight

The color is Bogie which is a dark purple/plum polish. This is my first ever China Glaze Nail Polish :D What I like about this is that it only takes one coat to make the color opaque. Visit my youtube channel to see the video of the manicure.

This color can be found at ULTA beauty. <----- Just click the link and type "China Glaze" in the search bar. Next, click the "Nail Laquer with Hardeners" picture. Scroll down to select Bogie.

It is also available on Amazon.com
Bogie, 80508, China Glaze, Vintage Vixen / Nail Polish / Lacquer / Enamel

Emerald Green Nails

Here's a nail design I did a long time ago. Good for short nails as well as long.



I used:
Sinful Colors - San Francisco
NYC - French Whitetip
Carlos diRoma - Gold
Miss Zee - Gold Glitter
LA Colors Art Deco - White & Silver