Bright Stripes, Little Spots

Hello! It's been quite awhile. I am really busy these days. Oh, life! Haha, so I mentioned previously I wanted to get swatching done. However, due to bad weather and haze and bla, bla, bla... I couldn't go outside for pictures. I did do some though, yet... As time passes by, I could no longer bear not having nail art on my nails. And so, I went ahead and get one done ;)

The Sweet Love

Good Morning! We are just a few days before Valentine's Day. I believe there is a possibility of love literally filling the air around us by now. Valentine's Day as how I know it, is a day many couples dedicate to celebrate their love for each other. Now, I've heard a few who do not agree on this V-day idea. One of the common reasoning they give is "I don't think love should only be celebrated for a day. It should be everyday, all year!".  Well, I think they are missing the point. It's not that couples (or anyone else) only celebrate 'Love' on Valentine's Day only. Rather than that, I think it's a day that gives the perfect excuse for both parties to just be excused of other activities and spend time with each other. Haha! Anyway, these days, Valentine's Day has become a day to celebrate 'Love' in general. So this year, I've been thinking of attempting at least one Valentine's Day nail art. Just as that thought crossed my mind, I received an invitation email from Jaimie Herrmann, Community Outreach Coordinator of Brilliant Earth to participate in a 'Create A Little Love Campaign', end of last month. Brilliant Earth is a company based in US that specializes in ethically sourced diamonds and engagement rings. If you plan on getting engage this year, you might want to take a look at this company :) Disclaimer: This is not a paid post nor sponsored or compensated in any way. But a post done out of love for nail art in contribution to 'Create A Little Love Campaign'. 

So, 'Create A Little Love Campaign', is a movement hosted by Brilliant Earth to spread a little more love around the globe. What makes it interesting is that every participant gets to fully and freely express what love means to them in their own unique ways! 

Happy Chinese New Year!

Hey guys! I'm kind of squeezing this post here just before I have a dear friend to guest post later on. Hehe. Phew! We're actually in the 4th day of CNY and I haven't been able to get anything posted until now! I was hoping to get this up on the first day, but with all the visitations and reunions my energy was completely drained. I'm not complaining though, I had a fun time catching up and spending time with families and loved ones! ^.^ Hope you don't mind :) I guess it can't be helped that I didn't manage to post any CNY inspired nail art before the festival set in. But it goes on for 15 days.. so I still have time to squeeze in maybe one more nail art before the celebration is over. 

Well, well...

Good Morning everyone! Today's post is one I debated for awhile - the same one that I had somewhat hinted, few days back. I suppose if you're a blogger and you are reading this, you would agree that blogging isn't as easy as it seemed. Preparing a post could very well be time consuming - the planning process, the execution, preparing contents, the editing, yada... yada.. Basically, there's a lot that goes into the making of one single post just so that the content would be something worth reading (sorta).

So what happens when you received an email from another requesting you to guest post and you took the time and effort despite in busy situation, to meet with the scheduled time only to realised, he/she has probably changed his/her mind and no longer wants to post your stuff? I may seem like jumping into conclusions, it can't be helped, really. It's been almost 3 months since the scheduled date and up till now, there's no updates or whatsoever. Assuming he/she isn't interested anymore... why ask if you are not sincere about it? Hahahah! Besides, the scheduled date was set according to mutual agreement. So.. I don't know. But here's what I think, in my humble opinion, if one wishes to extend the date or has decided my content is not worth it anymore, is it not a common courtesy to notify me? Or are common courtesies so rare these days its not common anymore? (quoting my nephew, he has a valid point there hahaha!) Lols. I sincerely hope such people are not in a mindset of when time goes by things or situations will just fade away...slide away and slip away and far away...and disappears..... *poof!* o.O

Out of Frame

Hello! :) It finally rained yesterday and haze has cleared up quite a lot. Praise God for that! Today I'd be showing you a nail art I did last week and wore over the weekend. It is inspired by this photo. I love the setting of the photo as well as the colours and the atmosphere it gives - a little bit industrial and a little bit mysterious. 

More Ice-Creams!

Hello! As much as I always seem to be complaining about Malaysia's hot hot hot weather, I'm super grateful for it too. Because, hey! It could have been worst :) And due to our hot and humid weather, one can never run out of reasons to dive for a good ice-cream treat! Recently I discovered Liquid Nitrogen Gas ice-creams while on a window shopping treat, and guess what? They are the best ice-creams I've ever tasted so far! The smooth texture is irresistible! So I've done two notd, (they are the same though..) inspired by ice-creams (not really). 

Swatches: Sasatinnie Q754 & Sasatinnie Q750

Hello everyone! I have been trying to hold back and find time to swatch all of the recently purchased Sasatinnie polishes, but I'm way too eager to share these two first. I hate to admit, they were both impulse buys. *sigh* 

So from the bottle, Sasatinnie Q754 is a beautiful shimmery fairy teal shade. Sheer teal base with lots of silver shimmers. It has that 'light' feeling to it. And I really love teals or greenish blues so... so this polish was quite irresistible. 

Abstract Thoughts

Heyyyyaasss! To all my Malaysian readers, are you ready to vote?! It's going to be my first time voting and I'm excited to play my part for the country! In conjunction with GE13, this will be my last manicure for this week and no more nail arts or colours until after voting sessions. So the blog might be quiet for awhile... :(

Back on topic, today is nothing but a random 'go with the flow' nail art idea. I was in the mood of doing a nail art, but also in a mood for a little fun and weirdness. Hence, the results are abstract thoughts that flowed onto the nails. :) 

Polka-Polka?

Heyyas! I can't believe it's already Wednesday. Time seem to be flying faster and faster! Sigh. Anyway, I have a nail art to show you today. Nothing fancy. Just a little bit of polka dots since I was in the mood of doing them and it felt like it's been a really long time since I last did a nail art. 

Just A Little Grey

Good Morning everyone! Its a cloudy morning here so I'm feeling a little grey. Nah, not in the bad way, but those quiet wonderful mornings sort of grey feeling. Unfortunately, it isn't as chilly as I hoped. Its still hot, despite the clouds and I'm sweating right after bath. Yeap, crazy weather. Alright, back to topic. Just simple grey gradient nails to share. The colours are inspired by a clock I saw in etsy.

I have to show you the thumb. I love how the gradient turn out here ♥

NOTD : Vintage Lace

Good Morning Saturday!

So for today, I'll be sharing this NOTD that is inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest. I really think Pinterest is an awesome place to gain inspirations! People are pinning stuffs from all over the world! Now, ain't that wonderful?

Here is what the card look like :

PictureLink

And my interpretation:

For this look I have used the cloud manicure tutorial by Nailside (if you haven't check out her blog, please do! You won't regret!). I have simplified the laces that was inspired by the card. Well, my nail plates aren't broad, therefore, I pretty much have quite a limited space to work with and a lot of frustrations to deal with. I do, however, really love how these nails turn out! But, I really dislike how my top coat is bubbling >:(

I'm using Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Anti Chip Top Coat. Its great in many ways. It doesn't smear the designs, true to its usefulness (dry to touch in 30secs. not dried completely, but dry enough that you can touch and it won't smear). It also helped in drying some of my glitter/normal polishes faster than usual. And super glossy! Just that, if I blob too much it tends to bubble. Blob a little less, it dries too fast. As in, before I'm able to apply a full coverage on the nail. I have of course, known of Seche Vite Top Coat but the stated harmful chemicals in it refrains me from buying (do they bubble too?).

Is there any way to apply a fast drying top coat effectively without the bubbles forming? Anyway, I hope you guys like the Vintage Lace Manicure. Have a fabulous weekend!


Nail Polishes and Tools Used :

The Face Shop (YL701)

Sasatinnie (FCGR001)

Top Shop (Country Bumpkin)

Essence (Let's Get Lost)

Dotting Tool

NOTD - Dots & Dashes

Hello everyone!

I have been wanting to create a nail look of gray (grey?) and mustard (muted yellow?) colours. I considered doing the fish braids but....kinda didn't want to either because I've attempted it before. I like trying new styles. In the end, I've settled with this pattern. Its a pattern inspired by a scarf I saw online (its rather unfortunate, that I've forgot to save the link therefore I can't show you guys the scarf).

Okay, pictures time!

Its a very simple nail art; just using the dotting tool. If you don't have one, you can use various other tools like bobby pins (those with rounded edge), back of a needle pin or toothpicks.

So what do you guys think about this look? Well, I think its okay-ish for me. I'm not head over heels with this outcome. And because of that, I might come out with another grey and mustard themed nails again when I get better inspirations. Before that, I'd be doing a bunch of reviews and swatch over a few nail polishes I've bought today! Anticipate it! :D

Have a Happy Weekend!

Edit: I've actually grown to really love this look! and since its not exactly "old" I've decided to submit this as an entry to a contest held by The Lacquerologist in conjunction with her 6 months blogiversary!

Nail Art Contest + Nail Tutorial (Textured Nails)

Good Day!

So, here to share with you this look which I've called Textured Nails (sorry lack of inspiration on creative naming hehehe!) I was inspired by this picture I saw some time ago in Etsy:

The Inspiration :

Picture Link Here

Pretty right? I was so inspired and in awe when I saw that! And guess what? The Polish Well has organized this great giveaway which also allows their followers to participate in a nail art fashion themed competition! Wow, talk about right timing!! Hence, I am absolutely grabbing this chance to carry out my inspiration.

The Results: Textured Nails

There you go! My inspired nail art! Do you like it? I am very glad of the outcome. Its almost like how Ii've picture it in my mind! One of the reason I made it textured is because I wanted to translate the beautiful leather texture that the collar have. And these nails are so simple to do too!! Here's the tutorial I made to share with all of you:

Its so simple and no need to worry too much about "messing up". I'm left handed as you can see I made the tutorial with my right hand, that's how easy it is! And the tools are things that are very available at home. Kitchen towel and cotton buds! 

Step1 : Apply two coats of white nail polish. (allow it to dry completely between each coats)

Step2 : Prepare the cotton bud by dabbing and rolling into a clear polish (to prevent it from fraying too much later on)

Step3-5 : Apply one coat of grey polish, before the polish dries quickly roll the cotton buds in to take away some of the grey polish while creating great textures on your nails. Do one nail at a time. 

Step6 : Drop a few drops of blue polish (or any other colour as desired) onto your prepared paper. Take the kitchen towel fold them so you get a nice corner to work with. 

Step7 : Dab the blue polish and lightly press the colour onto your nails in any direction you desire. (I did mine diagonally). To create small "dots/splash" effect, use the pointy part of the kitchen towel and very lightly dab the areas you want to have the small dots and splash effect.

Step8 : Repeat Step7 to all the other nails. Allow to dry.

Step9 : Drop a few drops of gold nail polish.

Step10: Okay, following the method from Step 7 to Step 8, picture how you want the gold to appear on your nails and dab the gold polish overlapping the blue and white. At areas where you want more gold, dab more gold polishes onto it. Lightly dab the golds on areas you want smaller spots.

Step11: Clean up and apply top coat. Done!

What I love about this method that I've used is that I can get the splash effect the way I want it to appear on my nails. Feel free to experiment this technique with other colours of your own desire! (I think substituting the blue to black would be a great combination too!) Hope you will come to enjoy this technique as much as I do! 

disclaimer: I do not own the picture of the beautiful dipped collar. The link to the owner is below the respective picture. 

Yours Truly,

Lacqueerisa