I've been looking for a good coffee table book to let my guests know right off the bat that nails are my thing. (As if they wouldn't already know! Pshaw.)
A friend tipped me off to this awesome book of crazy, crazy nail art. These are definitely high-fashion nails as opposed to ready-to-wear but my, aren't they fun to look at.
I'm gonna splurge on this book! I'll fill you in on my findings soon. :)
xxo, Francesca
Tomorrow is St. Patty's Day!
Honestly, I am not quite sure why we celebrate this holiday or why we celebrate it on its designated day. St. Patty's Day just appears to be a good day to socialize, wear green, and drink beer.....at least that's what I've heard (can't remember the last time I celebrated St. Patty's Day).
So, I am joining in the festivities this year with some fabulous green, blinged out nails!
This is my first 3D nail, and let me tell you, I have some serious reservations about 3D nails. Mostly, they are just WAY too much for me, gaudy, and sometimes incredibly unsophisticated. Not to harp on 3D nails too much, but I don't really think they are meant for working professionals in their late 20's, ya know?!
So, I am attempting a serious compromise here with a 3D ringer (if you don't remember what a "ringer" is, please read here).
These nails are still loud and gaudy, but much more toned down than most 3D nails I have seen. Compromise.
Also, I would like to note that I will not be wearing these to work....they are only for the St. Patty's Day weekend.
First, I started with a base coat. Then I painted one thick coat of Wet n' Wild Spoiled's I Only Eat Salad, which is surprisingly opaque and quite nice after just one coat.
Then I covered my nails in one coat of Milani Neon's Totally 80's, just for a brighter pop of green.
I have to say I am rather sad out Milani Neon's Totally 80's, which is not neon at all. It's just a bright green, and I was really hoping for a neon green :( Oh well.
Now for the 3D effect, you will need rhinestones, a toothpick, water, and your top coat.
Once your nails are completely dry, paint a top coat on one ring finger. Then, while still wet, use a wet toothpick to carefully place the rhinestones on your ring finger. Once all your rhinestones are in place, then coat the entire nail in another layer of top coat. Make sure to let dry completely.
Super fun and perfect for a St. Patty's celebration!
Have fun with your green nails and beer and remember to be safe!
-kissmeimirish, Varnish
According to WikIpedia, Ikat is a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibres. This is a very popular print in textiles and upholstery:
But, if you are anything like me, you probably are more familiar with the ikat fabrics that have been gracing the runway:
I did some research on ikat nails, as all good homemade manicurists do, and I was able to find these super fun ikat nails made by other homemade manicurists:
(by chaoticwithin)
(From refinery29)
(by Mr. Candiipants. You can watch a video for them here.)
Or if you prefer, try this ikat print nail sticker by ncLA:
My inspiration for this next blue manicure, is this amazing ikat dress work by Heidi Klum:
First, here are the tools you will need to complete your ikat nail:
Cover nails in base coats and let dry. Then cover nails in two coats of Sinful Colors' Snow Me White and let dry completely:
Then using a fine tip paint brush and Loreal's Jet Set To Paris, carefully and creatively paint on some fun blue shapes:
I can't really describe the shapes here, so just follow these photos for inspiration:
Make sure these are dry before moving onto the next step, which requires Sally Hansen's Nail Art Pen in Bright Blue and Black:
Using the Bright Blue pen first, following with the Black pen, make short and small dashes around the larger blue shapes you just painted. Again, I can't really describe this, so just check out the pics. You really cannot mess this us, so just have fun!
Let dry completely, and I mean COMPLETELY, before putting on your top coat. These pens are tricky and they will bleed hours later when applying the top coat. I suggesting going to bed and then applying your top coat in the morning.
Honestly, these are my new favorite nails. I cannot get enough of them!
Special thanks to my hand model, Jana! Meow!
(Proper placement of ikat and baby snow leopard....for effect, of course!)
XOXO- Varnish
Candy cane nails were quite popular this year. Remember this Candy Cane baby? And Krystal's Kandy Mani? Well, this candy mani was spotted on my baby sister.....and she did herself!
Nice work! Even her cuticles are perfect!
I was perusing the interweb when I stumbled upon these nail stickers by Minx and Marc Jacobs!
I had to find them!
Upon further research, I found this website which boasts sacrilege and blasphemy (well, at least in the nail world) with this sad little statement....
Perhaps, you didn't know that Minx and Marc Jacobs were acquainted, but now they've gone and had a One Night Stand. The nail applique innovator and the fashion savant have teamed up on a limited-edition series of stick-ons named after the most heated and transient kind of tryst. Using prints from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 collection, Minx made five cool patterns with everything from metallic panthers to big, colorful flowers.
Unfortunately, quantities are very limited; you'll only be able to get them (as a gift with purchase) at Saks Fifth Avenue during Fashion's Night Out.
NO! Say it isn't so!
Fashion's night out was months ago! And I went to it!
How could I not have know about these amazing nail stickers?! *sigh
(other prints that were available, "were" being the operative word)
ok. I'm going to go and cry now.
- A saddened and dismayed Varnish