May 2014

Dior Saint-Tropez + Gradient

May 31, 2014

I have a ton of polishes in two shades: red and aqua. And I also have only two Dior polishes as well–in red and aqua. I ADORE both polishes. (The red polish is the one I used in this video a few days ago).

Of all the aqua polishes I own, I repeatedly come back to Dior’s Saint-Tropez. Sadly, I don’t think you can find it anymore. I ended up buying it on eBay a couple years ago, and even back then it was hard to find. That being said, I just love it. The formula goes on like butter and it self-levels to a perfect finish. Just a lovely polish to work with.

(The red Dior polish I love, Rouge 999, is still for sale, though. The formula has been updated, but it’s the same color).

Anyway, this is Dior Saint-Tropez…

After painting my nails with Saint-Tropez, I thought I’d try another gradient. So I added Julep Monaco to the tips with the gradient sponging technique shown in this video.

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Nail Art

Revisiting Stripe Ombré Nails

May 30, 2014

One of my favorite manicures to go back and look at it is my Stripe Ombré Nails from two years ago. I thought it was high time to try recreating that look. :)

This time I chose a pale pink, light coral, bright pink, orchid, and dark burgundy color palette. Like the previous manicure, I painted my nails white first and then applied four strips of nail striping tape. Then I painted the different polish colors…

The result is a fun ombré look! I haven’t done a tape masked manicure in a while so I was a bit rusty, but I think by the time I finished up my thumbnail, the masking was working pretty well. I did discovered that the best way to prevent the colors streaking with a top coat was to brush on the top coat in the direction of the stripes.

So while time consuming, I really do love this look. :)

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Simple Manicure

OPI Alpine Snow

May 29, 2014

A lot of nail art begins with a white base coat, and this is the color I use most often: Alpine Snow from OPI. A lot of white polishes can be either super streaky or thick and gloppy. Alpine Snow seems to be the perfect medium between the two. White polishes in general are hard to work with because, like black, they are unforgiving. While I don’t tend to wear this color on its own, it does look very crisp and striking when left alone.

NOTE: For tips on painting a white manicure, I have a video HERE.

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Simple Manicure, Video

Perfect Polish Tips – How to get the perfect manicure

May 27, 2014

One of the most common questions I receive here and at Instagram when I post a picture of my nails is, “How do you paint your nails so perfectly?” I’ve done a couple videos in the past on this particular topic, but I thought I’d do another one since so many of you keep asking. :)

The polish I’m using in the video is Dior Rouge 999. I have the old version, but a new updated formula is for sale now.

Base Coat: Orly Bonder
Color: Dior Rouge 999
Top Coat: Seche Vite