For @nailsmagazine #31nails2014 challenge, they asked us to find some inspiration on Pinterest. Well, you could get completely lost in the Pinterest world (I almost did), but luckily one of the gals I follow had just posted a classy looking French Mani.
www.lucysstash.com
Lucy’s Stash has incredible art. Done with amazing precision. Plus her nails are natural and stunningly beautiful.
So I found my inspiration from her for that challenge. Here is the picture.
Sometimes, when I am doing nail art, I use acrylic paints. And sometimes, many colors or specially blended ones.
The trick I have to share with you is one that was born out of necessity.
I didn’t have a great platform to put my colors on or to mix them. So I started using the plastic lid to my rhinestone container. Well that’s fine for small art jobs, but not when you need to use a lot of colors or make special colors.
So then, I started using a plate and rinsing it off. But then, I forgot one time and it dried on there.
So I thought,
Why don’t you wrap the plate in saran wrap?
That’s when the inexpensive and quick idea for a platform for acrylic paint use came from.
I just buy the inexpensive stuff at the dollar store. You don’t need a heavy duty one because you are just throwing it out immediately anyways! I guess you could wrap any type of surface you liked.
I also find it works for when I am using nail lacquer in small amounts as well. Like when I mixed colors for a specific color of sky. See http://seriouslynails.com/?p=2412
Yesterday was the final day for March’s Nail Art Challenge from Nails Magazine so, I thought I would share.
The theme is Matte.
I used a simple black polish and a nail art pen from Sally Hansen to make the abstract art. The pen had a fine point and the color was “Pearly White.” I then highlighted some of the abstract art with white polish and a fine nail art brush.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Matte look for nails. But for some reason, I just HAD to add some sparkle!!!!
An older post shows the difference that matte polish can make to a nail art project.
You can view it at http://seriouslynails.com/?p=1738
I like the look. Especially if you want to be a littleedgy!
Authors note. I added a special note to these nails in remembrance of my friend who passed away 19 years ago. This one is for you Debbie
I found this lacquer awhile ago, and have come to realize that it is the one thing that all nail technicians (especially ones who love nail art) should have in our collections.
It is available from Sephora and it is called “Reactive”. Now the reason that I love this lacquer so much is that it is like a camelion. It changes to go with whatever color you are wearing!
I have made some swatches to show you what I mean.
“Chick Flick Cherry” by OPI
“Hot & Spicy” by OPI
“Art you kidding me” by Finger Paints
“Don’t mess with OPI” by OPI
“No room for the blues” by OPI
As you can see, the lacquer “Reactive” changes with each base color!
And even by itself it is very very pretty. This shows one coat on the left and two coats on the right!
Do yourself a favor and pick one of these up. It can make quick nail art very easy!
Check out how to do a easy french with some extra pizazz!
Start with China Glaze’s “Something Sweet”
Add, a swipe of Sephora’s “Reactive” to create a free edge. Line just above the smile line with Vintage White acrylic paint. Add a pink pearl for accent. Simple. The hardest part is waiting for it to dry!
I had a lady on facebook ask me for a step by step on doing the X’s & O’s that I had featured that day.
So, KarenM here is the step by step for you! I realize the colors are a bit different but you can do this with any colors that tickles your fancy!
Step One, paint the nails in your color choice. This is “Something Sweet” from China Glaze.
Next is to get your supplies set up. You will need your choice of small artist brushes for use with acrylic paint. You will also need a piece of tinfoil for your acrylic paint, a set of tweezers, and your “chain”.
Once you have all your tools ready, find the center of the nail and using your small brush dipped into the white acrylic mark a X.
Then proceed to make your O’s! A good tip for when you are working with acrylic paints on nail polish is to use alcohol to remove any mistakes you might make along the way. It doesn’t ruin the polish but removes the acrylic nicely.
While those are drying, cut your “chain” just a little bit longer than the nail. This will allow you to make it curve on the nail.
Apply a line of clear polish in the curvature that you want the “chain” to lay in. While it is still wet, use your tweezers to place it into the clear polish.
Once this sets for a minute, dab more clear top coat onto the “chain” and run it down the nail to cover the X’s & O’s. As well as up the top to the cuticle area.
While this is still tacky, apply any stone you like. Finish with one final coat of top coat.
There you have it Karen. I hope this helps you play with your nails and your nail art supplies.
