Gradiented Purple Chevron

Gradients, chevrons and sparkle... what more could a girl ask for?! 

I was looking through my drawers of untried polishes when I came upon a beauty. Unfortunately I have no idea what the name is, silly polish bottles without labels -_-. Anyways the brand is Icing and the polish is a stunning holographic glitter that seems to lean a bit pink or purple. I knew that I had to use it immediately, I'm not sure how a gorgeous polish like this went unnoticed for so long! Take a look at what I came up with ;)

I started off with a base of Color Club Wicker Park. When it dried I used my The Little LacquerBean mini chevron vinyls and placed them on each nail. I then used my Icing unnamed polish and painted it over my nails in a gradient fashion. I immediately peeled the vinyls off and top coated with Seche Vite to finish it off. 

I absolutely love the way these turned out! They are subtle but when they hit the sunshine watch out! Understated but they still pack a punch :) 

What do you think? What's your favorite understated nail design to wear?

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 :) 

Chicken Little

Chickenz.

Why? Because chickens is all that there is to life. 

No but seriously these chickens are so darn cute you'll start to love them too! Want to know how I created them? Keep on reading then...

I started out with a base of Essie Nice Is Nice. When it was dry I took acrylic paint in various colors (pink, blue, dark purple, yellow, red, black, and white) to create the chickens. I sealed them in with some Essie Good To Go and to finish it off I added NYC Matte Me Crazy on top. Glossy photos below as well. :) 

I am really really loving this look, I mean I'm a bit biased because of my love for chickens ;) But let me know what you guys think! Would you like more cartoon-y designs like this?

Thanks loves :) 

A Delightfully Holographic Water Marble

Ever since the water marble prompt from the 31 Day Challenge 2014 I've been itching to get back on the water marble train. 

I used to do quite a few water marbles but then I let it go for a while and seemed to lose the magic. No matter how hard I would try I just couldn't get it to work. But I sat down the other day determined to get something to work and finally came out with this! Ready to check it out?

I started off with a base of Essie Blanc. Then I taped off my nails and created the water marble using Color Club In De-Nile, Color Club Wicker Park, and Color Club Nail-Robi. I added a layer of The Little LacquerBean Glow-Stly on top because look at that holo!! ;) And finally I sealed it all in with a coat of Essie Good To Go. 

Mmmmm that sparkle! I'm so happy that I feel like I'm getting my water marbling mojo back! Keep an eye on the blog for some more water marbling manis!

What about you guys, what do you do when the water marbling god are angry with you?!

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 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 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 16: Geometric

Hey guys!

It's day 16 of the 31 Day Challenge 2014 and the them is geometric! I went the easy route today again with some stamping, but I have tomorrow off of work so I should be able to get back into doing some more fun free hand work! But these nails are so fun and colorful it makes the stamping okay! ;) 

I started off with a four different bases, Color Club Eternal Beauty, Color Club Miss Bliss, Color Club Over The Moon, and Color Club Kismet. When they were all dry I stamped over them using Bundle Monster's plate BM-417 and LA Colors Black. I sealed it all in with some Essie Good To Go and the design was finished!

I love using the Color Club Halo Hues they're just so holographic and sparkly and everything that makes me smile! ;) And the fun triangle stamp doesn't tone down the holographic-ness at all! 

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

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 :) 

31DC2014 Day 9: Rainbow Nails

It's day 9 of the 31 Day Challenge 2014 and the theme is RAINBOW!!!!

I'm so pumped, I love doing rainbow nails! I know you guys don't see many on my blog but trust me, combining all those colors just makes me all happy inside :) 

Ready to see what I came up with???

I started by painting on the red section with a small nail art brush and OPI Big Apple Red. Then I followed the line and created the rest using OPI Juice Bar Hopping, OPI Candlelight, OPI You Are So Outta Lime!, Nina Ultra Pro Blue Blaze, and OPI Push & Pur-Pull. Once all of the lines were created I top coated with a super secret special holographic topcoat... hint, it's mine and it's part of my soon to be released Halloween collection and it may or may not glow in the dark ;) After that I sealed everything in with a generous coat of Essie Good To Go! 

So how about that holographic top coat?! It may be my favorite from my Halloween collection from my brand The Little LacquerBean! Keep an eye out for the release date, it's coming up soon! But for now feel free to check out the store and check out my Welcome To The Country Fair Collection and my variety of nail vinyls HERE! 

But I'm super loving on these nails and I'm so heartbroken that I will have to take them off in just a few short hours!! I guess I have to have fun with them while I can! ;) 

Okay guys it's your turn! Post the link to your 31dc2014 rainbow nails in the comments so I can see!

Thanks loves :) 

Bundle Monster Stamping with a touch of Holo

It's time for some more stamping!

I have to admit when I told you guys in one of my previous posts that I was going to go through all of the Bundle Monster 2013 CYO plates I thought it was going to be a LOT easier. I was wrong. Trying to use every single image is proving to be difficult. Some images I just really don't like, but I'm doing my best not to skip out on anything so I'll make it through eventually ;) 

But today I've got a design that I do like! It's a tribal-esque, simple triangle / line combo image.

I started with a base of Color Club Eternal Beauty. When it was dry I stamped over it using Bundle Monster's plate BM-402 and Sally Hansen Silver Sweep. I sealed it all in with Essie Good To Go and the design was finished.

I really enjoyed this simple image and the silver / purple color combination. Simple yes, but beautiful too. Though I do have to say trying to get the lines straight across was such a pain in the butt!! ;)

Thanks loves :) 

Striped Tips

Stripes! Stripes everywhere!!! 

I've been struggling with what to paint on my nails lately, I'm not sure where all my creative juices went but they sure ran away from me. *sigh* But never fear! I shall work past this block, it's the only way to get through. 

I was experimenting with a few different designs and I came across this striped chevron french tip design that really stuck with me. So I decided to show you ;) 

I started with a base of Ruby Wing Silk Sheets. When that dried I painted on the chevron tips with white acrylic paint. I then free handed on the black and purple stripes with acrylic paint. I topped the tips with some China Glaze Fairy Dust and then top coated everything with a generous coat of Essie Good-To-Go. 

Even though I've been having an artistic block I quite enjoyed this design. Simple, but still fun and colorful. 

What about you guys, what do you do when you have a nail art block?

Thanks loves :)