Twinsie Tuesday: Monochromatic

Hi guys!

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet because I'm starting a new job today! It should be a lot of fun so I'm super excited!

Anyways, it's Twinsie Tuesday again! The theme for this week is monochromatic which basically means creating a manicure using the same color just different shades. I used PINK of course! ;) And since it's almost time for Valentine's Day I've decided to create a pretty Valentine's Day design. Keep reading to see what I did!

I started off with a base of Lime Crime Parfait Day. After that I used Color Club Miss Bliss and Bundle Monster plate BM-H17 to stamp the lips. Then I used China Glaze Pool Party and a small nail art brush to free hand the word love across my nails. I finished this design off with a layer of China Glaze Fairy Dust and a generous coat of Seche Vite and that was it. 

I really love the way these came out, and not just because they are in my favorite color ;) I think it's a great design for Valentine's Day and even every day, why not?! 

Don't forget to check out all of the other girls designs! I'm super excited to see what they all came up with!

Alaina at The Little Canvas

Amanda at Amandalandish

Amanda at Fashion Footing 

Amber at Nails Like Lace 

Bridget at A Painted Nail 

Chelsea at Nailed Blog 

ChiChi at I'm Just Me...ChiChi 

Jessica at Blue Velvet Lacquer 

Kristine at Pink and Polished Nails 

Lakeisha at Refined and Polished 

​Lisa at The Polish Playground 

Marisa at Polish Obsession 

Róisín at Cuti-CLUE-les 

Savannah at Addicted to Polish 

Tiffany at Polished To Precision

Thanks so much loves :) 

Shake your tail feathers

Hey guys!

I'm so excited! Do you know why? Maybe because in less then a week I can eat a disgusting amount of food and not even be ashamed ;) I LOVE Thanksgiving! I love spending time with my family and all that food.... that glorious food! Ugh I just can't wait! So I've decided to do a few 'Thanksgiving-esque' designs leading up to my Thanksgiving nails which I'll show you all on Thursday. Oh and if anyone has any ideas what I should do please let me know! 

This first design I really enjoy. I love this stamp because it reminds me of turkey tail feathers, and add holo to anything and I'm hooked :) Let's get started!

I started off with a base of Lime Crime Milky Ways on my middle and ring finger and Color Club Cosmic Fate on my pointer and pinky. I stamped over my middle and ring fingers with Color Club Cosmic Fate and Bundle Monster plate BM-212. And because I didn't like the way the stamp was near my cuticles I decided to add a half moon to both nails with the same color. I sealed it all in with Essie Good To Go and that was it. 

Mmmmmm dat sparkle doe *.* I love the understated-ness (is that even a word?) of these nails but once they hit the sunshine BAM! Sparkle <3 

What do you guys think? What will you be wearing on your nails for Thanksgiving? Or are you like me and haven't planned that far ahead yet? ;) 

Thanks loves :)

A Halloween Chevron

Hey guys! 

It's getting so close to Halloween! Are you going to dress up? I have to where I work but I'm super excited about my costume... I'm going as the Queen of Hearts! I made my own tutu and everything ;) Want to know what makes it even better? My dogs are going to be playing cards LOL! Now to convince my boss that I need to take them with me... if only ;) 

Anyways! I've got another Halloween-y manicure today, an orange, purple, and black chevron manicure! Let's get started!

I started out with a base of Lime Crime Peaches <3 Cream, I know this is more of a peach shade but I'm just going to go with 'creamsicle' today LOL! Then I used my nail vinyls from The Little LacquerBean (there's a 40% off coupon going right now! Use code: makeovr40!!!!) and China Glaze Bizarre Blurple and Color Club Beyond. I sealed it all in with Essie Good To Go and that's it. 

I really love chevron manicures, they're simple but when you use nail vinyls you can get such crisp lines. I just love the look! 

What do you guys think?

Thanks loves :) 

Inspiration Nation: Halloween Edition

Hey guys!

I did that whole disappearing thing again didn't I? Poop. Sorry guys! I've been juggling so many things lately that blogging has kind of taken a back seat. I'm working hard on my line, The Little LacquerBean and there's some exciting things that are going to be happening with it so keep an eye out! 

Anyways let's get on to the nails! I'm sure most of you know Kelli from The Nail Polish Challenge, and if you don't you have to immediately click that link to see because she's amazing!! These nails are inspired by a manicure that she did recently, a mattified dotticure. I seriously fell in love with the nails she did and I loved her color combination, I really wanted to recreate them using the same colors but since it's almost Halloween I thought that a themed manicure would be fun! 

Okay so you're totally going to be mad at me but I literally cannot remember what I used for a base... I really want to say Lime Crime Milky Ways but I just don't know! The lighting is a little off so I'm not sure if it's actually white. Hmmmm, well it will work with either color ;) Then I used Wet n Wild Black Creme, Lime Crime Pastelchio, and Sinful Colors Citrine along with a large dotting tool to create the dots. I applied Essie Good To Go before my matte top coat to prevent it from smearing my dots. And when it dried I used NYC Matte Me Crazy to finish it off!

What do you think guys? I know it's not even close to the amazingness of Kelli's but I'm seriously digging this mattified mani!

What's your favorite design to mattify?

Thanks loves :) 

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 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 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 :) 

31DC2014 Day 18: Half Moons

Day 18 of the 31 Day Challenge 2014 is half moons and I was so excited for this prompt! 

I had this great idea in my head to combine a half moon manicure with an outline technique and the end result is awesome if you ask me ;) 

Alright I started off with a base of Color Club Look, Don't Tusk. When it dried I created the half moon with a small nail art brush and Lime Crime Parfait Day. When all of that dried I outlined everything with the same brush and China Glaze Pool Party. I sealed it all in with Essie Good To Go and the design was finished. 

I just love when an idea works out, it doesn't always happen for me but when it does you better believe I do a pretty fantastic happy dance ;) LOL 

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

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 17: Glitter

31 Day Challenge 2014 Day 17 is..... GLITTARRRRRR!!! *.*

Sparkle is my favorite color so I was super excited for this day! I had some iridescent glitter laying around from The Born Pretty Store and I've been wanting to try out some mermaid-esque nails for a while now and what better time or prompt?! 

I started off with a base of Essie Blanc. When it dried I created the gradient with Lime Crime Once In A Blue Mousse and Lime Crime Pastelchio. Then I took the iridescent glitter from The Born Pretty Store and placed each piece on my nail. Two generous coats of Essie Good To Go sealed the whole design in. 

The glitter on the edges of my nails are a bit too large to lay flat, they probably should have been trimmed but trimming pieces of glitter makes me want to slam my head into a wall, repeatedly ;) LOL But I'm really digging the final look it was SO SPARKLY! And anything sparkly is a-okay in my book!

Okay guys I'm dying to see your glitter manis! Post a link to your 31DC2014 glitter nails in the comments so I can see!! 

Thanks loves :)

31DC2014 Day 14: Flowers

 Happy Sunday!!

I've finally got my 31 Day Challenge 2014 day 14 nails done! I meant to do them yesterday but that cold really kicked my butt!! Thankfully I'm finally feeling better since I'm so behind on EVERYTHING! I'm really quite amazed that I've kept up with this challenge! 

Anyways, let's get on to some flower nails!

I started this design off with a base of Color Club In De-Nile. When it dried I outlined the flowers with black acrylic paint and filled them in with Lime Crime Parfait Day, Lime Crime Lavendairy, Lime Crime Peaches <3 Cream, and some light green and yellow acrylic paint. I painted the faces on with black acrylic paint and added a layer of China Glaze Fairy Dust because why not?! ;) And I sealed it all in with a generous coat of Essie Good To Go. 

Hmm not quite sure why my hands look so lobster-ish here! But oh well at least these little flowers are so cute! I purposely made them messy for a childish look. Fun right?! 

Okay guys I want to see your designs now! Post a link to your 31DC2014 flower nails in the comments so I can check them out!! 

Thanks loves :) 

31DC2014 Day 10: Gradient Nails

GRADIENTS. GRADIENTS. GRADIENTS!!!!

I've been waiting for this day! Side note: have you ever noticed that the more you spell something and look at it, the more it looks like it's spelled completely wrong? Strange ;)

Anyways... today is day 10 of the 31 Day Challenge 2014 and the theme is gradients! I'm not kidding when I said I've been waiting for this! Gradients are one of my absolute favorite types of nail art, and I really don't do them enough. I decided to go with a soft and sweet look this type with of course..... HOLO on top! :) 

I started off this Lime Crime inspired design with a base of Essie Blanc on all of my nails. After that I taped off around my nails and created the gradient using a cosmetic sponge and Lime Crime Parfait Day, Lime Crime Lavendairy, and Lime Crime Once In A Blue Mousse. I topped it off with my special holographic top coat from my The Little LacquerBean Halloween Collection. A layer of Essie Good To Go on top finishes off this look!

Wow, I'm in LOVE! I thought yesterday's rainbow nails were going to be my favorite but boy was I wrong! This one has definitely got the top spot so far! ;)

Make sure you keep an eye out for my Halloween release date and some sneak peeks of the rest of the collection by following me on Instagram (@thelittlelacquerbean) or following my store: 

Http://thelittlelacquerbean.storenvy.com

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

Thanks loves :)