31DC2014 Day 31: Honor Nails You Love

I had big dreams starting this challenge, dreams of finishing this challenge on time and with designs that I'm really proud of. I wasn't sure that it would be realistic, this month has been so incredibly busy for me, working two jobs, opening up my indie polish store, and doing this challenge. But some way or another I finally made it and I can honestly say that I'm so proud of my designs! And I'm so happy that you all stuck it out with me and I hope that you liked what I came up with! It's been a trip, a long one at that, but it's been so fun, it's challenged my nail art skills and it's made me a better artist!

Aww mushy stuffs X)

Anyways let's get on to why you guys are really here... NAILS! The last prompt of the 31 Day Challenge 2014 is Honor Nails You Love. I knew exactly what I was going to do before I even started this challenge. Sarah from Chalkboard Nails has always been an inspiration to me. Her blog is actually the very first nail art blog I ever found and she is the reason that I decided to start blogging. Everything that she does is flawless, and I'm not just saying that, go check her out and you'll see what I mean! And not only is she a talented artist, she's also one of the nicest people I have ever "met" (hypothetically speaking anyways ;)) I've got to say she actually followed me the other day on Instagram and I did the biggest happy dance ever! Among many of the awesome designs she does, she did a distressed nail art look (with tutorial) that I've been drooling over forever! So I decided to recreate it, with a few different colors, for this prompt! 

I started off with a base of Essie Blanc. When it was dry I followed her tutorial to create the distressed look with Lime Crime Lavendairy, China Glaze Too Yacht To Handle, OPI Push & Pur-Pull, and Wet n Wild Black Creme. I sealed everything in with some Essie Good To Go and that was it!

I'm so happy I chose this design to recreate because I am in love! It just looks so fun and punk-ish.... I almost even feel like a bad-ass.... almost ;) 

But for real guys I recommend you checking out Sarah over at Chalkboard Nails if you haven't yet, you won't be disappointed!!

It's your turn now! Post a link to your 31DC2014 day 31 nails in the comments so I can check them out!

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 30: Inspired By A Tutorial

Can you even believe we're only one more day away from finishing the 31 Day Challenge 2014?! Yeah I know me either!

Anyways the prompt for today is Inspired By A Tutorial. I've seen so many incredible nail art tutorials, especially on Instagram. There were so many different ones that I could have chosen but I knew even before I got to this day what I was going to do. If you guys are on Instagram I'm sure many of you have heard of the extremely talented @sveta_sanders. Sveta... I'm not sure if that's her name, but anyways, she creates absolutely perfect nails every time. Lucky for me she also creates flawless tutorials and lately I've seen her dry marble swirl manicure everywhere. So that's the tutorial I chose to be inspired by. If you want to check it out just click on her name and you'll be taken to her Instagram where you can scroll through all of her tutorials!

Alright I started this design by painting two thick strips on my nails using Lime Crime Milky Ways and Color Club Beyond. While the polish was still wet I took the tip of a toothpick and created the swirl starting in the middle of the nail. I cleaned them up and sealed everything in with some Essie Good To Go.

I don't know about you guys but I am so in love with this design! Truth be told I've tried to do this particular design before with no luck but I'm so happy that it's finally working :) Have you tried it before?

Okay guys it's your turn! Post a link to your 31DC2014 Day 30 nails in the comments so I can see!!

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 29: Inspired By The Supernatural

Hey guys!

So I regretfully invite you all to take a look at my Day 29 nails... The prompt is inspired by the supernatural and my nails just.... don't really do it. I may even venture to say that they look like flying poops... yes, flying poops LOLOL Oh well though you can't win them all right?!

I'll tell you what I was trying to accomplish here, when I think of the supernatural for some reason my mind immediately goes to Harry Potter. Maybe it's just the fact that I love Harry Potter, yeah, it's probably that ;) But anyways, I was inspired by the dementors, seeing as they always terrify me!! Ready to check it out?

I started off with a base of NYC Sidewalkers on all of my nails. Then I created a circular gradient using Sinful Colors Slate and Wet n Wild Black Creme. When it dried I went back with some black acrylic paint to create the big dementor on my ring finger nail and all of the small flying ones on my other nails. I sealed it all in with Essie Good To Go and that's it! 

While the design is creepy for sure, I'm not quite sure that it really looks like dementors. But I tried and that's what counts right? ;) 

Okay guys you have to save me! Post a link to your 31DC2014 day 29 nails in the comments so I don't have to look at mine anymore!!

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 28: Inspired By A Flag

Ahoy!!!

The prompt for today's 31 Day Challenge 2014 is Inspired By A Flag. I was going to do the American flag but looking back on my manicures I've done at least two American flag manicures so I really wanted to change it up this time so......... PIRATE FLAG! I can't believe I never thought of doing this before, I love pirates and pirate flags! Want to see what I came up with? Keep on reading then :)

I started with a base of Essie Blanc on my pointer nail, Maybelline Color Show Bold Gold on my middle, Wet n Wild Black Creme on my ring, and OPI You Don't Know Jacques! on my pinky. On my pointer I used OPI Big Apple Red for the stripes and then I took Zoya 18K and E.L.F Gold Star to create the "gold" on my middle. I painted the skull flag on my ring using white and light grey acrylic paint and finally I painted the peg leg wood pattern with NYC Royal Chick. I sealed everything in with a generous layer of Essie Good To Go and that was it!

Love, love, love this! The only thing that I don't like is that my pirate skull looks a bit too happy... ;) LOL But really, I need to do more pirate themed manicures, it's just too much fun! 

But now it's your turn! Post a link to your 31DC2014 Inspired By A Flag nails in the comments so I can see!! 

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 27: Inspired By Artwork

Hey guys!!

I can finally see the end of this challenge! We're so close and I'm not giving up now! Day 27 of the 31 Day Challenge 2014 is Inspired By Artwork and I really hope that you guys like what I came up with.

When I first saw this prompt, a bunch of ideas came to mind, Van Gogh and all those fantastic artists of course, but then a lightbulb went off... what about a more primitive art? What about that art that we've all created at one time or another? You all know what I'm talking about... FINGER PAINTING! Tell me you don't have fond memories of sticking your hands in paint, putting them on some white paper, slapping your name on it and giving it to your parents?! Yeah, gooooooood times! ;)

I started off this design with a base of Essie Blanc. Then I took a small nail art brush and pink, purple, and turquoise acrylic paint to create the handprints. I sealed it all in with a layer of Essie Good To Go and because I'm on a matte kick, I decided to mattify it with NYC Matte Me Crazy. Glossy pics are below as well 

So love this! It brings back some great memories, ooooh it reminds me of playing with shaving cream too!! Tell me you guys did that, if you didn't you should go do it. Like Immediately. What are you still doing here?! Get going and get in that shaving cream!!! LOL!

Alright guys it's your turn! Post a link in the comments of your 31DC2014 day 27 nails so I can see!

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 26: Inspired By A Pattern

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I can't even tell you guys how happy I am that it's Friday, these past two weeks have been so stressful for me, I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off (too graphic?) ;) And to make matters worse my anxiety has been off the wall, it feels like I'm swimming underwater and just keep getting pulled down farther! I don't mean to vent, but I'm just really happy it's almost the weekend because I'm SO READY for it :) 

Anyways today is day 26 of the 31 Day Challenge and the prompt is Inspired By A Pattern! I'm honestly so surprised that I've made it this far! But reading all of your comments and support is what keeps me going and it can always put a smile on my face! 

Let's get on to the nails, I'm super excited about them!

I started off with a base of Essie Blanc. When it was dry I created the gradient on top using Lime Crime Lavendairy, Nina Ultra Pro Blue Blaze, and China Glaze Turned Up Turquoise. When it dried I used a small nail art brush and some black acrylic paint and created the fun pattern on top! I was inspired by THIS pattern! I topped it off with Essie Good To Go and finished it off with a coat of NYC Matte Me Crazy. (shiny photos at bottom!)

I don't know about you guys but I totally love these! I just can't decide if I like the matte version or shiny version better! What do you guys think?

It's your turn again guys! I want to see your 31DC2014 Inspired by a pattern nails so post a link in the comments so I can check them out!

Thanks loves! And thanks for listening to me vent ;)

31DC2014 Day 25: Inspired By Fashion

Hey guys! 

Sorry I'm a little late! Darn work getting in the way and all that stuff! 

Anyways, Day 25 of the 31 Day Challenge 2014 is Inspired By Fashion. Now I'm not a big fashion person, don't get me wrong I love fashion and clothes and everything but fashion shows and that crazy stuff isn't for me so I was totally lost on this prompt -_- But that's what Google is for right?! LOL I typed in Fashion Week NYC 2014 and clicked through a couple of designs until I found this fun light blue cut out design with a black crisscross thingy on top ;) 

I stated off by painting Lime Crime Once In A Blue Mousse on all of my nails leaving a random strip blank on each nail. When it dried I took one of my striper nail art brushes and some black acrylic paint and created the crisscross design on top. I sealed it all in with some Essie Good To Go and that's it!

The top right picture is the one that I chose to be inspired by!!

So not my best work but it was still fun to create! But I'd really love to see what all of you guys came up with! So post a link to your 31DC2014 Inspired By Fashion nails in the comments so I can see!!

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 24: Inspired By A Book

A told B, and B told C, "I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree!"

Okay guys, day 24 of the 31 Day Challenge 2014 is inspired by a book. The book I chose is my all tie favorite children's book, "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom". It doesn't matter that I'm 23 now, if I see this book you better believe I'm going to read it!! ;) LOL I chose to create another stylized interpretation of the book cover, ready to take a look?

I started with a base of China Glaze Escaping Reality on my pinky, OPI Hi! Pumpkin on my ring and middle, and a half and half combo of both colors on my index. When they all dried, I created the dots on the pink parts with a large dotting tool and some orange acrylic paint. I created the palm tree leaves and coconut with green and brown acrylic paint and finally I sealed it all in with Essie Good To Go and that's it :) 

Love love love this! It may be simple, but it reminds me of my favorite book and that will always put a smile on my face! What do you guys think?

It's your turn now! Post a link to your 31DC2014 day 24: inspired by a book nails in the comments so I can see! 

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 23: Inspired By A Movie

Everybody wants to be a cat. Because a cat's the only cat, who knows where it's at ;) 

Day 23 of the 31 Day Challenge is Inspired By A Movie, can you guys tell which movie I chose? I chose my all time favorite movie: The Aristocats. I'm a super Disney fan and The Aristocats has been my favorite movie since the very first time I watched it. I went with a bit more of a simple design then I wanted, only because it's so late and I have work so early! Are you ready to check it out?

I started with a base of Essie Blanc on my index and pink fingers, China Glaze Immortal on my middle, and OPI Hi, Pumpkin! on my ring. When all of my bases were dry I outlined the necklace and the bows with black acrylic paint. I went over the necklace with Maybelline Color Show Bold Gold and added in the details with black acrylic paint. Then I went over the bow on my middle finger with OPI Big Apple Red and added in the details with the same acrylic paint. I went over the bow on my ring finger with Lime Crime Once In A Blue Mousse and added in the details. And I went over the bow on my pinky with Lime Crime Parfait Day and China Glaze Escaping Reality and added in the details. I added some Baroness X Fairest Of The All on my index finger for a more subdued "older" look ;) I sealed everything in with Essie Good To Go and that was it! 

As simple as this design was I still quite liked it, anything to do with The Arisocats is okay in my book! :) I would like to do a more detailed version at some point, maybe when I have more time.... someday. 

Alright guys it's your turn! I want to see your day 23 inspired by a movie nails so post a link in the comments so I can check them out!

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day22: Inspired By A Song

Happy Monday!! 

Not sure what's happy about it... Mondays suck!!!! But at least it means a new prompt for the 31 Day Challenge 2014: Inspired By A Song. 

I don't know if many of you know but I'm a huge country girl, I love me my country music! So today's nails are inspired by a country song of course ;) And the song is "Leave the Night On" by Sam Hunt. This song is my obsession right now and it meant I could do a night sky gradient! I've been itching to do a night sky gradient forever and now I can finally say I've done it ;) 

Want to know how I did it?

I started off with a base of Essie Blanc. When it was dry I created the gradient using Wet n Wild Black Creme, The Little LacquerBean Blue Ribbon Baby, and OPI Push & Pur-Pull. I added in some silhouette mountains with black acrylic paint, some stars with white acrylic paint, and a good coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust on everything but the mountains. I sealed it all in with some Essie Good To Go and that's it! 

I've never done a night sky gradient before but I have to say I'm happy with the way that these turned out! I definitely want to revisit this technique so be on the look out for some more night sky nails in the future!! 

Okay guys I want to see your Inspired By A Song nails! Post a link in the comments so I can see them!! 

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 21: Inspired By A Color

Hey guys!

Well we've done it! We've made it to the last third of the 31 Day Challenge 2014!! Woohoo!! I can't believe it! The last third of the 31DC2014 is the Inspired By prompts, this is were it gets interesting! These prompts give you more freedom to be creative and I couldn't be more excited!

Day 21 is Inspired By A Color and I chose to be inspired by one of my own colors Blue Ribbon Baby by my brand, The Little LacquerBean :) 

Blue Ribbon Baby is a lovely juicy "speedway blue" polish with a holographic finish. Get this baby out in the sun and they sparkle like crazy! Ready to check it out? 

My base is The Little LacquerBean Blue Ribbon Baby obviously ;) and I used acrylic paint to paint on a blue ribbon on my ring finger. I sealed it all in with top coat and the design was finished! Super simple :) 

I just love this color so much! I mean I'm probably a bit.... or a lot.... biased though ;) So let me know what you guys think! 

And if you want to purchase Blue Ribbon Baby you can buy it, along with other pretties and nail vinyls from my website: http://thelittlelacquerbean.storenvy.com. Hey what's a little shameless promotion between friends?! ;) LOL

Okay guys I want to see your Inspired By A Color nails now! Post a link in the comments so I can see them!!

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 20: Water Marble

What did I do to anger you so?!?

Day 20 of the 31 Day Challenge 2014 is water marble and man, did I anger the water marble gods! I worked on water marble nails for three hours, THREE HOURS! Everything I tried failed, and I tried so hard to make it work. I had such a pretty marble in mind!! But alas, the gods were quite angry with me so I went to my old fail safes, the Color Club Halo Hues! 

I've worked with the Halo Hues many times and I know how good they work for marbling so while this isn't the marble I had in mind, nothing could ever make these polishes look bad! ;) 

Alright guys, I started out with a base of Essie Blanc. When it was dry I taped off my nails and created the water marble using Color Club Beyond, Color Club Over The Moon, and Color Club Eternal Beauty. I sealed it all in with a coat of Essie Good To Go and the design was finished!

While this marble is quite a bit darker then the one I had in mind, I still love the effect the Color Clubs give when marbling! 

Okay guys it's your turn! Post a link of your 31DC2014 water marble nails in the comments so I can see!

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 19: Galaxies

Hey guys!

I'm going to keep this short and sweet because it's currently 11:00pm and I have to work tomorrow and I'm TIRED!! ;) 

It's day 19 of the 31 Day Challenge 2014... or at least it will be day 19 when I post this! And the theme is galaxies! Now I've done galaxies before so I thought I'd change it up and go with a pastel galaxy this time. Ready?

I started off with a base of Lime Crime Lavendairy. When it dried I tore up a cosmetic sponge and dabbed Lime Crime Parfait Day, Lime Crime Once In A Blue Mouse, and Lime Crime Lavendairy to create the galaxy. I added stars with Essie Blanc and a generous coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust to give it that super sparkle!! I sealed it all in with some Essie Good To Go and the design was finished. 

I'm not going to lie, I'm totally digging this pastel look! It's so sweet and soft and sparkly! My Lime Crime polishes were absolutely perfect to pull off this look and I know I'm going to revisit it some time soon! 

And now I want to see your galaxy nails! Post a link in the comments to your 31DC2014 galaxy nails so I can check them out!!

Alright it's time for me to go to sleep so goodnight..... errrr good morning suppose by the time I post this... oh now I'm all confused! ;)

Thanks loves :)