Saturday, May 24, 2014

Holographic Marble!!!!

Hey guys!  Like I promised I'm gonna be updating my blog more often.  I think I'm gonna shoot for every Saturday since that's when I usually paint my nails :p

I have a very beautiful mani in store for you tonight!!!  *rubs hands together evil like*  I'm teasing, but it is pretty darn awesome though!  :D  Now, this is the first time I've done a full on holographic marble and that's mainly because I only buy Aly's Dream Polish holographics.  They're a bit more expensive, but worth EVERY penny.  My Aly's polishes are extremely close to my heart.. like I dont even like to use them on other people *ROFL*  A lot of polish is used during the marbling process so keep that into consideration when you're mapping out your color scheme.  However, I decided that I deserved to look pretty this weekend!  I've been being SUCH a good girl lately with money and everything!  *lol*  So I treated myself to something that was fun, beautiful AND free!  *hehe*  

Since purple is my favorite color it was the number one inspiration for this mani.  I went with three shades of holographic polishes by Aly's and I used my Black Onyx by OPI.  Let's beging.. 

This is what we'll be using today!
Polishes from left to right : Black Onyx by OPI & Electric Indigo,
Rumpleberry, and Blue Sea by Aly's Dream Polish 
I did something different this time that I've never done before.  I'll post a link at the bottom so you can get to it if you'd like but I made a very blurry, bad picture quality, step-by-step video of how I do the actual "water and paint and all that jazz" process.  I was a bit nervous so there are a few word errors but meh.. not bad for my first time.. so I'll post that at the bottom for you guys.. the next few pictures are gonna be in order by process step.  Enjoy!

I dont have a photo for it so far off let me note that I based all my nails in the Aly's Rumpleberry.  I like to use a color I'm using in the marbling as a base or black/white.  



This process is removing the tape.  I do not cut.. I just slide in and pull up & out.  That
way I can remove & work the tape the way I need to.  For more details, please ask.
 

This is the bit of paint on the skin once the tape is removed.. light clean up and you're done!

After light cleanup!  :p ♥

Left hand holding Aly's Rumpleberry

Left hand holding OPI's Black Onyx 

Last but certainly not least... full complete mani.  Inside with flash.  I love it!!!! ♥

Ok, so there's all the photos.. as you guys know I absolutely love Aly's Dream Polish.  I would just be a broken record if I tell you guys again how much wonderful this polish is in every way.. quality, consistency, versatility.. its just an amazing polish.  And like I promised here's the link to the video.  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203868552656659  Until next time.. happy painting!  ♥








Thursday, May 22, 2014

Clean up and all that jazz!

Allo, allo!  How is everyone today.. lovely I hope?!  I had quite a lovely day myself.. it would've been nice if I had a convertible!  *lol*  I'm happy I only sneezed three times today!  They were whoopers but its better then a gauzbillion!

Lately I've gotten quite a few people asking me how I do my nail cleanup.  So, while doing last night's mani I decided to do a kinda step by step of how I clean around my cuticles and such.  :) And here we go!  

First off, let's get this straight right from jump.. no one is perfect!  Even when you're pretty spot on with your painting like myself *giggles* or if you're one that gets paint everywhere.  Or shucks.. even y'all folks in the middle there.  Anyone can paint and still have clean fingers afterwards.  Its not necessarily "how" you paint your nails, though the cleaner the better.. cause let's face it.. its what boys and girls...?  Less cleanup at the end!  <--- that is literally how my brain said it to me while I was thinking it.. so that's how I wrote it :p  *LMBO*   Anyhow, all joking aside.. cleanup is fairly easy if you have three things..

1. A soft bristled brush either from somewhere like Sally's or you can make your own like I did with an old paint brush (that I cut diagonally).  You can also use q-tips and all sorts of other kewl things you probably have around your house for clean up.

2. A small container.. you can use just about anything.. but its trial and error on getting something perfect for you size wise and durability from the next must have.  I am using a medicine measuring cup that I got from Hailey's school nurse.. she gave me like 5 and I've been using this one for over a year!!!

3. 100% Pure Acetone.  This is a must.  DO NOT try to do this process with Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover.  You will junk up your brush which you will then have to spend the next two hours getting back to its lovely original state.. yes, I have accidentally done this.  That's why I buy colorful Acetone Free now *LOL*

This is how my station for cleanup starts : 



This is my crew..
So, here is an example of a nail that would need cleanup : 


Oopsies.. looks like I slipped *blushes* 
And this is the process.. I dip my paint brush into the acetone dabbing all the excess acetone off on the edge of the small cup.  Then I take the acetoned brush around my nail & cuticle.  This is extremely easy to do.. but you just put cuticle oil on after you do this or it will dry the heck out of your skin around the manicure.
So fresh & so clean, clean!  


And that my friends is how I get my nails clean and prepped for pictures to share with all my lovely friends!   If you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask and I'll try to give you the best answer I can *wink*  Until next time.. happy painting!  ♥