Pretty & Polished Cuttlefish

Hello!

Helly the lemming slayer strikes again! This polish has been on my wishlist ever since it came out last spring, and I finally got my grubby little mits on it and straight on the nails it went! Cuttlefish is a thermal glitter polishes that changes from a mid-teal blue when cold to a lighter teal/aqua when warm, with green and blue glitter added in the mix. I just love how more glitter is revealed when the polish is warm, like it's come out of hibernation! I used two coats, and then two of topcoat because it is a little thick and bumpy, but I had no problems with application. The accent finger is Sinful Colors Snow Me White stamped with MoYou Sailor 04 and Color Club Perfect Mol-ten. LOVED this manicure. I wore it to Ikea and kept bumping into things because I couldn't stop looking to see if it had morphed! And because I'm a klutz...

Such prettyness! I want MOAR thermals!

Hx

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33 Day Challenge day 25 - new technique!

Hi loves!

I had an utter brain block when it came to this challenge. I've been blogging and doing nails for a few years now, and I could not think of a technique that was new! I've tried drag marbles, splatters, spun sugar, tape, cling film, watercolour, one stroke, plaid, water spotted, stamper decals, fan brush... Stumped. In the end I went with something that I have played with before, but not posted on the blog, and added a new element too! My lovely friend Tracy sent me some foils to try a while ago, and they are a lot of fun! I've not perfected it quite yet, but with the foil I chose today it didn't matter too much. And then I stamped on top of them too, which I'd never done before. I loved the result!

I started with a base of China Glaze Aquadelic, which was the closest colour I had to the base colour of the foils. That way, if there are any gaps once you've transfered your pattern, it's not so noticeable. Once that was dry I added a layer of foil adhesive and let it go tacky - about 10 mminutes. Then it's simply a case of applying the foil, rubbing it over with a cotton bud and hey presto, the image transfered! I did miss a couple of patches, but as you can see it wasn't too noticeable, and as this wasn't a repeating pattern I put on a bit more glue and went over it again.

I then topcoated - and this is where it could have gone horribly wrong! See, metallic foils don't tend to like topcoat, especially fast drying ones like my favourite Poshe. The topcoat wrinkled the foil a little bit, but actually it didn't matter because of the pattern again. But a top tip I learned in hindsight is to apply a layer of PVA glue (like the glitter peel off method) and let that dry before topcoating. It just adds a layer of protection between the foil and the chemicals in the topcoat. Anyway, once that was dry I stamped over with an image from Bundle Monster 406 and Konad Black Pearl.

You could get the same effect using the cling film/saran/plastic wrap method, but I think the gold is bolder using this foil and I loved it! I really must play more often :) That's if I ever manage to stop browsing websites looking for more...

Hx

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NOTD - Summer Water Marble

Hi guys!

I think this is the best water marble I have ever done! I was super pleased with how it came out. I wanted the petally design, and got it on a few nails. The only one I wasn't all that pleased with was the middle finger but even that looks ok. I used Models Own Lemon Meringue and Feeling Blue, and China Glaze Peachy Keen and Aquadelic.

Left hand:

Right hand:

(You can see stubby is getting better!)

 Left thumb, my favourite:

I was so proud of this mani! Unfortunately it didn't last long, and chipped before the day was out :( Water marbles always tend to do that to me. I can usually get a mani to last a couple of days now, but not a water marble.

Models Own cremes tend to be good for water marbling. This is the second time I've used Lemon Meringue in a marble. They do take a while to dry, and definitely have that non 3-free smell to them, so maybe that helps? I don't now, but it gives me an excuse to stoc up on more colours!

Hx

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Purple Crumpet Fairy Challenge - Day 11, Pastel Patchwork

Hi loves!

For today's challenge I followed a tutorial by the immensely talented Kayla Shevonne. I thought it looked quite simple (certainly simpler than how I was planning to do it...) and it wasn't too bad - it just took me an age! My hand looked like a claw when I was finished...hence the strategic accent nail on the right hand. I think it works great as an accent nail though! Ahem, that's my excuse...

I started with a coat of Beauty Uk Soft Grey and then drew the patches with a purple striper polish (I don't have a black, and thought it would be easier with a striper rather than a brush and separate polish). Then I filled in the rest of the patches with Collection 2000 Fruit Salad and China Glaze Aquadelic, just using the bottle brushes. Then I went back over the lines with the striper and added the stiches. Result, cute nails and hand cramp!

It's not perfect, but is it ever? I think this is the most detailed freehand nail art I've ever done and I love it, and the possibilities are endless! Pinks, brights, monochrome, metallic...yep, love.

I did try and get Mr NN to do the other hand for me, but he couldn't copy the design right, gave up and drew a willy instead. Say no more.

Hx

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