12DoC Dec 7: Candy Cane

I was so excited for this challenge! I've always wanted to make candy cane nails because they look like so much fun.

As much as I love free-handing my designs, I really wanted the crisp, clean lines to pop in this design, and they couldn't do that if they were sloppily free-handed on. Anyway, I thought it would be cool to show you guys just how much striping tape I used to get these stripes. It looks like chaos!

Take Two Day 6: Animal Print

I'm back on track! So the deal with last night was that I was preparing for my speech class today. All went well, thankfully!

So for today's animal print, I couldn't decide what to do. I typed "animals" into Google and found this gem. They looked so cool that I had to try and recreate them!

Take Two Day 5: Cartoon Theme

This was such a hard design to come up with. I had so many ideas in mind! All the ones I wanted to do have people with peach colored skin. I don't have peach colored nail polish.. So I was stuck at a stand still. Then I thought of maybe doing Pixar's Minions, but I didn't have the right yellow for it. Finally, I decided that I would do some Domos!

I always picture them saying," Om nom nom." But that's just me... Haha.

Take Two Day 4: Flowers

Oh boy guys. Today was far from fantastic, and it didn't help that today's challenge scared me slightly. I was always horrible at drawing flowers when I was younger, and then I found out that I had to paint them on my nails?! Well, good news. I figured out a solution!

12DoC Dec 2: Christmas Tree

A day late isn't so bad considering I found out about this challenge a few hours ago, right? Talk about a little too much free time today. Kidding. I still have homework to be done. It'll just be done later.

In order to get this design up in time, I had to brainstorm fast. I found this challenge a few minutes before I had to leave to go to my running club. Talk about a time crunch! So while I was running along earlier, I decided that I really wanted to use some polishes from the OPI James Bond collection that I got a few weeks ago. There is this gorgeous red in there.. Just look at it!

Take Two Day 2: Flag Nails

Today, I chose a flag that's not as close to my heart as I would like it to be. For those of you who don't know, I'm a redhead, so you'd think I'm hard core Irish. Well, I am Irish, but my family doesn't celebrate anything to do with the Irish culture. I've been taking it upon myself lately to learn a bit more about their culture and history lately, but I haven't gotten very far yet. I do have an unbelievable craving for Irish soda bread, though. :P

I kept this design real simple. I didn't want to try anything too fancy. I'm really happy with how well it turned out. I was afraid that the colors I chose wouldn't look very well together.

Take Two Day 1: Inspired by a band

GUESS WHAT! NAIL PICTURES ARE BACK!!! I'm so excited. You guys have no idea. My software arrived a couple hours ago. I installed it, tried it out, and LOVE it. You might be wondering what exactly I'm talking about.

Well, since my Photoshop Trial expired, I've been looking for new photo editing software. I only tried the free ones and hated them all with a passion. I looked up how much Photoshop was and almost had a heart attack when I saw that it was around $600. No way was I getting that. So I did a little research and came across a Photoshop product that I had never heard of. It's called Photoshop Elements 11. Basically, it has about 90% of Photoshop's functions, but it's sooo much cheaper. It doesn't have all of the fancy extras and it looks different than Photoshop, but it only cost me $50. It's definitely worth it. It has all of the features that I use and it's just as easy to maneuver. I consider this a success! Here's a picture of it:

I'll stop yapping about my software and get to the reason why everyone is here. My nails! :D

Nov 2012: Philip's Caution Tape "Man"icure

Hey everyone! I know it has been a few days, but don't worry! I didn't leave. I've been busy preparing a special treat for you guys. What is that, you may wonder? Well, I'm glad you asked!

Since I started doing nail art and posting it online, I thought it was funny that the word 'man' is in manicure. Is that a coincidence? I like to think not. Then I started wondering if guys actually like getting their nails done, but just don't tell anyone. I've come to the conclusion that very few do. I did, however, find out that there are a handful of guys willing to get their nails done, so long as the evidence is gone before there are any witnesses.

So, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to my once a month special: "MAN"icures! I have rounded up a panel of 5 guys (Hard to believe 5 guys would be willing to do this, right?) who aren't related to me in any way. Now, in order to protect their pride and identities (And let's face it, their egos), I have asked them to pick out aliases. So far, only one has gotten back to me, and he's the one being featured in this post.

Say hello to Philip!!

TIHC Oct 31: Recreate your favorite from another challenger

I've been waiting to do this design for a couple of weeks now. Once I saw Somewhere Over the Polish Rainbow come up with it, I knew this was the design I was going to recreate. You can find her version here.

I spent a looong time going through my nail polish collection trying to find colors similar to the ones Shannon used. As it turns out, I don't have nearly as many oranges and reds as I do blues and greens. I had a lot of purple, but none of them sparkled.

That's when I decided to use different colors instead. I know this is part of a Halloween challenge, but I'm posting this in November. I don't think it matters too much anymore, so I hope...

Anyway, I absolutely LOVE how well this turned out. This has to be my most favorite design I've done to date.

I didn't follow Shannon's design too well. My gradient wouldn't blend too well and I made the dots way smaller, closer together, and in even lines. Honestly though, I love it. The idea of the challenge was to recreate, and not copy the manicure, and that's exactly what I did.

For this design, I used a lot of nail polishes. I'll try and make order of them as best as I can.

Base/ Gradient

• China Glaze Electric Pineapple
• China Glaze Entourage
• China Glaze Custom Kicks

Dots starting from the middle

• Orly Instant Artist 24 K Glitter
• Piggy Polish Irish I Was Irish
• Revlon Radiant
• Sinful Colors Kissy

I hope you enjoy this design as much I do!

TIHC Oct 29: Graveyard

So sorry this took a while to get up! I don't know if you've heard, but a tropical storm named Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in the United States this past Monday (The day this prompt was due). Well, I live on the East Coast, and my state was hit pretty hard. Millions in my state lost power, and more than a million still don't have it back. My heart goes out to them.

Anyway, better late then never, right?

I originally was trying to polish my nails the night before the hurricane was going to hit, but everything I did turned out awful, so I gave up. Then you know what happened from there..

For this design, I had a hard time coming up with anything. My friend sent me a picture suggesting I do this. It's awesome, right? My nails weren't nearly long enough though, I didn't have glequins, blah blah blah.. So I tried my best with my own version.

I think it turned out alright. I absolutely love the purple I used. It's my favorite shade that I own.

When I first attempted this design, I used a shimmery yellow instead of the silver that I used here. It just looked awful. The yellow and purple clashed so horrendously that I had to redo it. At least it turned out better this time around. Minus the ghosts.. Those were better last time. 

For this design, I used China Glaze Coconut Kiss for the base. The I used Piggy Polish 6 Impossible Things for the ghosts, Sinful Colors Secret Admirer for the tombstones, and Stripe Rite in silver color who's name was torn off from the previous owner.

TIHC Oct 26: Witches

Today's challenge was a little, well, challenging. I didn't want to to paint ugly witches on my nails because I had to go to work and serve food. Instead, I thought of what makes up a witch, and came up with witch's brew!

For this manicure, I used the saran wrap marble method. I think it turned out pretty cool. 

After the saran wrap marble dried, I free-handed the black strip at the base of my nail, resembling a cauldron.

Last, I added iridescent flecks on top of the green part to give it a bubbly look, like there are chunks of awesome in the brew. 

For this manicure, I used Piggy Polish Lemonade 5¢ for the base. When that dried, I painted a thick and opaque layer of Revlon Nail Art FrenchMix All the Rage and used the saran wrap technique. Then I used Maybelline Color Show Onyx Rush for the stripe. Then I used China Glaze Luxe and Lush on top of the green.

You can view that upcoming challenges here.

witches inlinkz

TIHC Oct 19: Bats

When I think of the word bat, I think of the object I could use to chase my brothers around the house with. That thought inspired my design for today.

If you have younger brothers like I do, then you know that they can be ANNOYING, especially when they are both teenagers. Sometimes you just want to throw something at them! That's why I painted a baseball on my accent nail. It's the best of both worlds. ;)

For this design, I used China Glaze Oxygen for the base color. I used 3-4 coats. For the designs, I used Piggy Polish 6 Impossible Things, China Glaze High Roller, and China Glaze Mahogany Magic.

I hope you guys didn't think I was serious. I love my brothers (even though they CAN be annoying). My actual design for today is way cooler. Bats for me = BATMAN!!!!!!! This is the most excited I've been to do my nails since my last Batman design. Even more so because I finally got a break from studying. I'm smack in the middle of my midterms. I have 3 more next week.. Agh!

I hope these are worth it because of what little time I actually have to paint my nails now.

Instead of using the tradition Batman symbol, I decided to use the symbol that's in the Dark Knight Trilogy. 

(Don't you just love the awkward hand pose above? I had to hold the nail polish bottle upside down and rotate the picture the correct way when I was adding my watermark.)

For this manicure, I used Sinful Colors Secret Admirer for the base. Then I used Essie Marshmallow and Maybelline Color Show Onyx Rush. For my accent nail, I used Sinful Colors Kissy for the base. Then I outlined the Batman symbol with Piggy Polish 6 Impossible Things. Then I used Maybelline Color Show Onyx Rush and Piggy Polish Lemonade 5¢.

You can find the upcoming nail challenges here.

TIHC Oct 12: Jack-o-lanterns

I don't want you guys to think that I forgot about today. I didn't. I painted my nails today and I love them, but I hate them all the same. Since I have work, I won't be able to redo the design the way I want until later tonight. So, be patient! I'm just going to edit this post later when I have my pictures ready. Check super late tonight!

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It's finally later! I redid my nails after work and LOVE how well they turned out. I'm so excited to show you guys!

So, I actually got this idea from a fellow blogger. You can find the link to her design here. What I didn't realize until after I finished was that the girl had stamped the pumpkin faces onto her nails, and didn't freehand them like I did. I was a little taken aback about it at first, but then became proud because they turned out super well.

I probably should have saved this for my gradient design, but I was way too impatient. I had to show you all! Good thing I have something else in mind for that.

I've never been good at making my jack-o-lanterns look scary. Did I do alright?

I love how creepy they look. It's like they're waiting to freak you out.

For this design, I used China Glaze Riveting as the base. Then I used China Glaze Harvest Moon and Maybelline Color Show Onyx Rush to make the gradient. Last, I used Piggy Polish 6 Impossible Things for the creepy faces.

The link to future prompts can be found here.

Here are the other challengers. Add your link if you are joining in!

TIHC Oct 1: Horror Movie

So, I'm already late with this design, but I finished it before October 5th's. Whew! It took me so long because I really did not want to do this one. At least it was first. Now it's out of the way!

Anyway, this is my least favorite design ever. It's probably because my heart wasn't into it. I don't really watch scary movies, so even choosing one was difficult. I ended up going with the first scary movie I ever saw, which was "The Ring." I didn't depict everything on my nails, like the little girl. I'm bad enough at drawing people, so I skipped over her. Apparently I'm just as bad at flies.

I keep laughing every time I see the fly. I'm usually okay with my work, but the fly is so bad that it's funny.

However, I really like how I wrote "the Ring." When I googled a picture of the title, it was written creepily. I think I at least pulled that off well.

Up above is the ring. Yes, I literally took my brush and swirled it around in polish that was drying. I should have picked a less opaque white.

For this manicure, I used Maybelline Color Show Onyx Rush, Essie Marshmallow, China Glaze Long Kiss, China Glaze Oxygen, Piggy Polish 6 Impossible Things, Sinful Colors Aquamarine, and Rimmel London Steel Grey (Which isn't grey, so I don't know why it's named that...)

And you can find a list of all the challenges here.

Day 7: Apple Nails

Here it is, the most well known fruit of fall! I saved this one for last on purpose. Apples are delicious (especially in pie). I should have made apple pie nails, but I'll save that for another day.

There are soo many apple nail designs online, and they're all the same. I didn't want to go with flow this time around. What's the fun in that? I figured one way to spice apples up would be to add polka dots... again! I told you I like polka dots. Haha.

My favorite part about this manicure has to be the colors. They're so bright and cheery (and delicious). I almost wish I could be wear this design when I go apple picking. That won't be for a couple weeks, though.  :(

Granny Smith apples are my favorite, so I decided to give that apple the bigger nail, aka my thumb. I really love how well it turned out. I think I did a better job on the green apple than the red apple.

For this manicure, I used China Glaze Oxygen as the base. Usually I never specify how many coats of nail polish I use. That's because I always use 2 coats, no matter which color it is. I felt like I should mention that for the China Glaze Oxygen, I had to use 3 coats because the color was so sheer. The first 2 coats I did were thin, but the last was thick because I was getting impatient. If you use this color, you may need to use 4 coats.

 For polka dots, apples, stems, and leaves, I used China Glaze High Roller, China Glaze Entourage, China Glaze Electric Pineapple, Piggy Polish Lemonade 5¢, Zoya Meg, and China Glaze Mahogany Magic.

Day 4: Orange Nails

Orange you glad I didn't do bananas today? Hahaha. Anyway....

Today's design isn't as complicated or detailed as the others have been, but I still really like it. I think the simplicity of it makes the colors pop more. I realized was I was putting my watermark on the photos that I could have added a bit more detail to the peel (like white dots for texture), but oh well. They're still nice in my opinion!

I didn't have much inspiration, so I decided to look at a few designs. I picked up a few ideas, but didn't really recreate any. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do with an orange wedge.. However, I did notice that no one had taken advantage of using the shape of the base of their nails for the wedge! I found that shocking, so I went with that.

This is my second attempt at this manicure. This first try turned out horrible, and even that is an  understatement. I decided to completely start over and it made such a difference. I really like how well it came together.

I also really like how Halloween-y the colors are. It's really a nice introduction to fall. :)

For his manicure, I used Maybelline Color Show Onyx Rush and Piggy Polish Damsel in This Dress as the base colors. Then for the rest of the orange, I used Piggy Polish Lemonade 5 ¢.

On a side note: I've been using my nail polish so much that I have almost all of the colors memorized. Haha.

Day 2: Kiwi Nails

I originally had a different fruit in mind for today, but I decided to bump tomorrow's design to today, and today's to tomorrow. I hope that makes sense! Anyway, the reason why I decided to do kiwis today is because I did so horribly the first time around that when I redid my nails, I felt so accomplished that I HAD to post them today.

Aren't they just wonderful? :D

Kiwis are one of my favorite fruits, so of course I was excited to do this design. Since I got it right this time, I took the pictures before my nails even dried. They still aren't dry! I'm typing this right now with wet nails.

I'd like to give credit to cutepolish for the idea. She made a wonderful YouTube tutorial that you can find here. She explains everything so nicely. I suggest you go check her out!

For this nail design, I used Zoya Meg for the base, and Piggy Polish 6 Impossible Things and Maybelline Color Show Onyx Rush for the details. The first time I did this, I started off using a different white. It turned out to be so sheer that I ended up covering it with my trusty Piggy Polish. Whatever you do, don't use Essie Marshmallow. It's a recipe for disaster!

Like always, I painted my nails before I went to bed. I checked to make sure my fast drying top coat was dry. I spent half an hour getting ready for school for the next day, so you'd think that would be just enough drying time so that it wouldn't smear, right? Wrong. I woke up to a lovely mess this morning. Luckily, it was on the hand that I don't photograph. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time in the morning to fix it. I ended up going to school with that mess. Eeek!

The pictures above and below were what my first attempt looked like. Notice how big the white part and the black dots are compared to my second attempt? I definitely made them too big. I just can't believe I walked around campus with them. Also, I decided to use a different color to make the design pop. Now that I look back, I'm not really a fan of the color as a kiwi. I'll save that orange for Halloween.