31DC2013: Day 10 - Gradient

So it may appear I'm really behind on this challenge, when in reality I'm just behind on posting. With classes and two jobs, I've made time to paint my nails but have been too tired to post anything.

I wanted to do a pretty simple gradient so I chose Butter London Trustafarian and Fishwife. I really like these colors together.

I don't have a whole lot to say about this other than it was really pretty to stare at in the sun because of all the holo-y goodness.

Hopefully I'll be caught up with posting by the weekend and will no longer be behind. :)

31DC2013: Day 09 - Rainbow

Good evening! I spent a long time trying to figure out what I could do that would top last years rainbow nails, but I realized there's not a whole lot that can. And then I looked down at my feet and decided to do a manicure based off of my newest pair of Toms.

This is a "splatter" manicure, but instead of flicking polish on or blowing it through a straw, I dipped my toothbrush into the polish and just kind of randomly dabbed it onto my nails.

Whenever I look at these, I instantly think of my shoes, which is nice when I'm at work and stuck in heels.

The most important thing about this manicure was to make sure I chose the right colors. As soon as my boyfriend saw my nails, he knew I meant for them to look like my shoes without even telling him. I consider that a win :)

31DC2013: Day 08 - Metallic

Quick post for today since I'm about to leave to see Fall Out Boy :D

I sat around awhile today and yesterday trying to figure out what to do for Metallic day. Last year, this prompt gave me a hard time as well. Eventually I thought of the book Rainbow Fish and the shiny/foil scales mixed in with the other scales and knew I wanted to do a manicure based on that.

I'm really happy with how these turned out, even though they aren't super metallic.

I used all Julep polishes for this manicure - Jessica, Keira, Taylor, Emilie, and Rebel.

31DC2013: Day 07 - Black & White

Today's been fairly tiring, so I decided to do a simple gradient with some matte glitter over top.

I actually had thought about this idea yesterday when I saw that Windestine announced on facebook that she was closing shop. While I'm really sad to see her go, I understand that if you aren't passionate about something anymore, then you need to move on.

Today I decided to use Windestine Asbestos and Windestine Carbon Copy over top of a black and white gradient.

I really like this look, especially on my middle finger. Carbon Copy fades so perfectly into the black.

The Nailasaurus did an insanely similar mani for the prompt today as well, her gradients are forever amazing.

I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls and Pure Ice Black Out to create the gradient.

I'm honestly not sure if I'm going to post tomorrow. I'd like to, but I'm going to see Fall Out Boy at a venue that is 3 hours away from my house and I want to get there pretty early and I won't be getting home until late, but we'll see. Hopefully I'll be up to it.

31DC2013: Day 06 - Violet

So today, I decided to take the easy route and use decals for my nail art.

Plus I keep forgetting that I have a few items from the Born Pretty Store that I need to review, so since I don't have time to do two posts in one day, I'm going to kill two birds with one stone. Hope you don't mind :)

To be honest though, I kind of love these decals, or just any decals in general. They always look so good and they're so easy to apply. These purple (or "violet") feather decals were just perfect for todays prompt.

I did have a little trouble with lining that one decal up on the bottom of my nail, but it's not really a huge deal. This sheet of decals comes with a lot of different types and colors of feathers. The directions have some translation issues, as literally half the sentence was missing from the first step, but it's not too difficult to figure out.

You cut out the feather you want, remove the plastic from the top, put the decal in water for about 20 seconds, and use tweezers to get it out. Then carefully slide your finger across the decal to release it from the paper, dip your nail in water that you want to put it on, and finally place it on the nail. The directions say to use a blowdryer to dry your nail, but I never have done that and it's always turned out fine for me.

These decals can be purchased from the Born Pretty Store for $4.73. Make sure to use the code NHL91 for 10% off you order :)

Overall, I'm really happy with how these nails turned out, and they're probably way better than anything I could freehand today. Even though I had a holiday on Monday, this week has been very exhausting and I'm just ready to get some rest before I have work tomorrow.

The polishes I used in this manicure are OPI Steady As She Rose and OPI Funky Dunky.

31DC2013: Day 05 - Blue

Hello all! I am writing this as I watch the Ravens game :)

Today I decided that is was an absolute must for me to do ocean/beach nails using this tutorial by Chalkboard Nails.

I wanted to stick to mostly blue, so instead of doing the sandy nails, I opted to just do the water looking ones.

This technique was actually surprisingly easy and looks so awesome! Yet another manicure where I wish I was on an island somewhere instead of working two jobs and going to school. Ah, well... I can dream, can't I?

I know these do lean a little on the teal side, but I'm calling them blue. Water is blue therefore my nails are blue, yup.

For this manicure I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls and China Glaze For Audrey.

At this point I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do for tomorrow, but hopefully I'll figure it out soon haha :)

31DC2013: Day 04 - Green

Good evening all!

This is a little later than I'd like to be posting, well a lot later, but I had some issues with these nails.

For green nails, I knew instantly I wanted to do a turtle shell pattern, however, after many many failed attempts I almost gave up. Which would be why I'm posting this so late.

After going to work and then school, I decided to give it another go.

Luckily, I am really happy with these results! My first attempts just looked like blobs instead of an actual turtle shell.

The cleanup was hell, apparently my green polishes stain like no other, which is why my fingers hace a sort of green hue to them.

I used OPI Jade Is The New Black, OPI Did It On 'Em, and Pure Ice Black Out to create the turtle shell pattern.

So glad green day is over and I can move on to blue! I am really excited about what I plan on doing tomorrow, it's something I've wanted to try for a long time.

Unfortunately tomorrow's post will be posted rather late as well. I work from eight in the morning until eight at night.