Vividly Painted

How is your Wednesday so far? I wonder if I mentioned it before, but I strangely like Wednesdays. I often wondered if its because it marks the middle of the week or is it because it seems like the most productive day to me. Or it feels like the "body" of a story, where things and events are finally taking pace. Hahaha, something like that, I guess. Do you have a favourite day? What is your favourite day?

Inspired by Crabtree & Evelyn

Beautiful Wednesday, yes? :) Today's nail art is inspired by Crabtree & Evelyn's beautiful packaging. If you've been reading the past few posts, you would have read that I had intentions to attempt nail arts inspired by them. This, however, was not the intended attempt. But Crabtree & Evelyn, Malaysia recently held this "Take a Picture" contest. Where participants have to take a photo of three single products in the most creative way. There will be 10 winners who get to win the 3 products they featured in their photo. 

Shades of Triangles

Hey everyone! Today's nails are inspired by all the beautiful triangle pattern prints that's been around for quite sometime. I've been wanting to get try create those repetitive triangle patterns but didn't have the courage to do so. Every time the thought of doing it pops up, I simply brush/push it away with this very excuse that goes in my head : It's going to be tedious, you're going to lose patience. You're not going to get the lines straight anyway. 

Well, my usual brush, although at size 0, was still too thick to attempt such designs. But ever since I modified one of my old nylon brush, I don't see why not! So, I finally sat down and gave it a go. 

Scrape nail art Tutorial : Toothpicks/Small dotting tool

Just sharing a tutorial which I've delayed for sometime. I did this nail art which I've come to call it Scrape nail art, in Makeup Savvy's Nail Art Challenge Day 7. Its a method very much similar to the Chocolate Mint Tutorial. A little different though.

click image for larger view

Steps Explained:

Step 1 : Prepare 3 coats of desired base colour. Yes, this is a must or else your base colour will end up getting scrapped off showing your nails underneath instead of just the colour. *optional: protect the base colour with a clear top coat. Allow drying time.
Step 2 : Using a contrasting colour (or any colour you desire), apply 1 fairly thick coat of selected colour onto a single nail. Work 1 nail at a time.

Step 3/4/5/6 : These steps need to be done fast. While the top colour is still wet, using either a toothpick or a small dotting tool, drag the toothpick/dotting tool (lightly) from the cuticle to the tip of your nail forming a middle line. Doesn't matter if its straight or crooked. Then do little lines that seem to converge to the center line. Until you get results similar to image in Step 6. 

Step 7/8 : Using your finger, gently tap down "pointy ends" to smooth the "frays". Allow this nail to dry and move on to your other nails repeating Step 2 - Step 8. 

Step 9 : Now that you're done with the designs, go ahead top it off with a top coat. 

So, I hope you find this tutorial and the explanations easy to understand. I've realized there were lack of explanations in the mint tutorial previously made (I have editted it a bit though). Anyway, this is a super flexible and experimental technique. Go ahead and explore! :D 

NOTD - Jeans of Vintage Florals

Oh, I just remembered its Friday!

Well, honestly I never thought I'd be doing NOTD after the previous galaxy nails. But after I posted that post, I got a little busy and didn't have time to actually do it on my left hand as previously mentioned. In a way, that is good because shortly after that I've got a spark of inspiration by one of my favourite hat that I have which was lying on the bed. Its a jeans sort of material with a cotton cloth that have these gorgeously distressed vintage florals prints sewed on the inside.

So what do you think of these? They sure took some time. And look! My topcoat's been polluted with glitters from the pearly topcoats I used in the Galaxy Nails (haha!). So yes, unintended glitters there. But still all good, since it matches the holographic black polish that I have used in order to mimic the black jeans colour. I do love how these turned out, although given the chance, I'll do the lines thinner, if my skills may allow me so. Not to forget the topcoat application flattens out thus adding thickness to the lines. 

Here's a closed up look so that you can see the beautiful subtle holographic in the black polish and its very opaque, in the above pictures are all just 1 coat. Its one of my firsts holographic nail polishes. This and a purple. Actually, they are the only holographic nail polish I've ever owned. I really should expand holographic collections. hahaha! (I can't believe this is the first time I've used it after all the years sitting in my storage.....the drying time is very slow. I'd suggest dipping with icy cold water to speed up drying time)

Nail polishes and Tools used to accomplish this look :

• Toothpick that has a sharp end
• RUBI - Blue suede shoes
• The Face Shop - GR501
• The Face Shop - YL701
• Skin Food Nail Vita - BW704
• Revlon - Pretty In Papaya
• Inglot - 730 (solid black nail polish)
• L'elan Vital - Black Holographic Nail Lacquer (there isn't a name, and I believe this collection have been discontinued)
• Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - Chocolate Nut (used this for outlining the florals)
• BANDI - Crystal Brown (its a very sheer polish, so I've used it to sponge a little on the florals for a distressed look) 

A little challenging to attempt, but the patience pays off well. So, looks like my duo hand galaxy nails mani will have to wait for some other time while I enjoy wearing this manicure for the weekend. ;P

* a few words about L'elan Vital: its a nail polish brand that's only available from Cosway (as far as I know, I've not seen this brand sold anywhere else). The one that I've used for the above manicure, is a really old collection. I've got it around late 2004 or early 2005 but I vividly recall wearing the purple one for CNY in 2005... anyway, you get the idea; a really, really, old polish... hahaha. 

Makeup Savvy Nail Challenge Day 7 - Neon

So today's Neon nails. I confess, I'm not quite a fan of neon because they look pretty bad against my skin tone. How I envy those who can pull of any colours. Anyway, I do own a few which are considerably bright colours. After searching through my stash I gathered the selected few and begin brainstorming for designs that could work. I finally settled with this : 

So, what do you think? They aren't the usual bright neon, but are what I'd call dark neon. I'm quite satisfied with the results. I hope you'd like them as well. 

Nail Polishes Used :

• rubi - Blue Suede Shoes
• Etude House - COR202
• Etude House - GR605
• Revlon - Pretty in Papaya