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Halloween Spiderweb Nails + Tutorial

More Halloween nails! Woohoo!

I have a slight purple obsession, so there are multiple shades of it here. I used silver instead of just white for the webs because I think it makes it look a little more 3 dimensional.

 I'm weirdly proud of my wobbly spider. I call him Boris.

I also made a video tutorial for these. I made it a long time ago. Don't judge me.

If you want to check out any of my other videos, you can do so here. 

Hope you like them!

Nightmare Before Christmas

So it's possible you think it's too early for a Halloween design. You'd be wrong. I don't think there's ever a wrong time to be sporting Jack Skellington.

It's a pre-clean up picture. I got a bit overexcited.

Let me know what you think. :)

Products used: Purple - Avon
                       Glitter - No. 7 (In the Stars)
                       White - Rio Nail Art
                       Black - Barry M Nail Art Pen

New York Fashion Week Inspired

There were all kinds of fancy nails going on at NYFW. One of my favourite designs was the half-moon reverse manicure, seen at Azede Jean-Pierre (by OPI) and at Libertine (by Butter London). So I decided to give it a go.

One of the best things about this design is you can make it as easy or as complicated as you want. If you're not confident freehand, then you can use either a nail tip guide or a punched hole reinforcements. Beyond that, you can use any colour and embellishments you choose!

I went for a spring green colour on most nails (another popular trend), and tried out one of the new Revlon scented polishes. It genuinely smelled like Lime Basil for a day, but it didn't last beyond that. I also went for a glitter on the bling finger, obvs.

Another advantage of the style is that when it starts to grow out, no-one needs to know!
Hope you like.

Products used: Green - Revlon Parfumerie (Lime Basil)

                       Green Glitter - No. 7 (Paradise Love)

Valentine's Mix & Match

So I did a Valentine's Day look. I quite like it.

I did a full post on my friend Siobhan's lovely blog, which you can see here if you so choose.

You should check out her blog anyway, she's a very interesting lady.

Nail Polish Collection

So as the title suggests, this is my collection of nail polishes. Not gonna lie, there are a fair few. 176 to be precise. Anywho, thought it might be of interest, so here they be.

 Avon:

Peeling and Brittleness Solver

Revitacool Basecoat

Gel Strength Basecoat

Sheer Vanilla

French White (x2)

Nailwear Pro in Deluxe Chocolate

Colortrend in Suede

Mirror Shine in Gold Foil

Nailwear Pro+ in Golden Vision

Speed Dry in Suddenly Sunny

Nailwear Pro in Star

French Nude (x2)

Speed Dry in Swift Sherbet

Nailwear Pro+ (P603)

Nailwear Pro+ in Lucky Penny

Nailwear Pro+ in Real Red

Nailwear Pro+ (P605)

Speed Dry in Asap Pink

Nailwear Pro in Pastel Pink

Nailwear Pro in Romance

Nailwear Pro in Luxe Lavender

Nailwear Pro+ (P601)

Nailwear Pro in Decadence

Matte Nailwear in Violetta

Nailwear Pro in Midnight Plum

Nailwear Pro in Violetta Sparkle

Nailwear Pro+ (P604)

Speed Dry in Limeade

Speed Dry in Fast Time Teal

Nailwear Pro in Peppermint

Barry M:

Limited Edition F (344)

(264)

Hologram (244)

Silver Glitter (149)

Matt White (66) (x2)

Crackle Effects (316)

Matte Vanilla (MNP4)

Atlantic Road (TNP2)

Limited Edition B (325)

(134)

Princess (TNP5)

(272)

Bright Purple (303)

Magenta Glitter (336)

Raspberry (273)

Passion Fruit (GNP16)

Red Glitter (150)

Amethyst Glitter (354)

Countess (TNP9)

Racing Green (299)

Watermelon (GNP3)

Teal (334)

(284)

Spring Green (290)

Cyan Blue (294)

Cobalt Blue (291)

Cackle Effects (311)

Nail Art Pen in Silver

Nail Art Pen in Black

 17 (now Seventeen):

Nail Xtras Matte Top Coat

Nail Xtras Glitter Top Coat

Lasting Fix in Sherbet Lemon

Fast Finish in Cupcake

Lasting Fix in Forever

Lasting Fix in Toasted Almond

Nail Xtras Crackle Top Coat

Lasting Fix in Glisten

Lasting Fix in Orange Soda

Lasting Fix in Tropical Island

Beach Carnival in Coral Reef

Vintage in Flare

High Gloss in Luau

Lasting Fix in Pink Grapefruit

Fast Finish in Knockout Red

High Gloss in Risky Red

Fast Finish in Peacock

Fast Finish in Moonstruck

Lasting Fix in Smoke Signal

Fast Finish in Nightshade

 Nails Inc:

Glamour Glitter

Kate Spade in Uptown Glamour

Basil Street

Jermyn Street

Luminous Red Gloss

Luminous Red Metallic

Victoria & Albert

Victoria

Bruton Street (x2)

Natural Collection:

Crystal Clear (x2)

Antique Coral

Pink Manicure

Rasberry

Primark:

PS1982-01 Magnetic

Ebellish in Wear It Pink

No. 7:

Stay Perfect in In The Stars

Gel-Look Shine in Peacock Green

Stay Perfect in Paradise Love

Stay Perfect in Star Shower

Stay Perfect in Taffeta

Ultimate Nail Colour in Bronze Berry

2True:

25

24

41

10

31

16

13

Strictly Come Dancing:

Tango

Passionate

Thrilling

Midnight

Sparkle

Beautiful

Blush

Sultry

Cha Cha

Sizzling

Strut

Tropical

Collection 2000 (now Collection):

Lasting Colour in Liquorice (1)

Maxiflex in Electric Punk (329)

Hot Looks in Bongo Beat (37)

Hot Looks in Spangles (31)

Hot Looks in Mint Mojo (38)

Hot Looks in Button Moon (33)

Hot Looks in BMX Bandit (32)

Alloys in Rose Metal (290)

Hot Looks in Hip Hop (28)

Rio Nail Art:

White

Yellow

Red

Blue

Green

Purple Shimmer

Silver Shimmer

Black

 Sally Hansen:

Hard as Wraps

Double Duty

Morrison's Complexions:

Shine

The Color Institute:

French White

Bichun:

69

44

Essie:

Mint Candy Apple (99)

Nice is Nice (38)

Marks & Spencer:

04119A

29109A

04109A

14109A

01109A

20109A

Lizzie:

Lilac Planet (593)

Andrea Fullerton:

Oops! Varnish Clean Up

Triple Action Undercoat

Stripe & Sparkle in India

Trio in Gold Finger

Trio in Rain Fall

Revlon:

Moon Candy in Meteor (260)

Siren (440)

Rimmel:

60 Seconds Stars in Star Dust (621)

Sinful Colors:

All About You (921)

Me Me Me:

Metallic Ultra Gloss in Amethyst (7)

Fashionista:

Saturdays Magnetism in All Fired Up Red

Seche:

Rouge (69230)

Bourjois:

So Laque Ultra Shine in Rose Lounge (28)

Headline Colors:

Poolside Party (083)

L'Oreal:

Saphyr Lurex
Claire's Accessories (now Claire's):
(Hearts)
(Polka)
(Spots)
MAC:
Cream in Rougemarie
Cream in Blueblood
NYC:
In a New York Minute in Full Metal Jacket (002)
Expert Last in Fine Red Wine (235)

So some fun facts: 

1) All the full size Nails Inc polishes were free (my favourite price)

2) The Rio set was he present that got me started in nail art, so ta Mum!
3) I had to adjust my layout to fit all the pictures in.

And here's a photo of all together while I was organising them for photographing.

Cupcake Nails

 Cupcakes, sweet cakes for all! Who doesn't love a cupcake?

 The smudgy bit near the gem is a lesson for us all: always use clear to stick on gems, don't try and match the colour.

Products used: Pale yellow - 17 (Sherbet Lemon)
                       Yellow - Barry M
                       Pale pink - Avon (Pastel Pink)
                       Pink - Barry M
                       Pale purple - Avon (Luxe Lavender)
                       Purple - Barry M (Bright Purple)
                       Pale blue - Collection 2000
                       Blue - Barry M (Cobalt Blue)
                       Pale Green - Collection 2000
                       Green - Barry M (Spring Green)
                       Brown - Me Me Me (Amethyst)
                       Black - Rio Nail Art

Post-Christmas Sparkle

They're not clever, they're not smart, what they are is sparkly and fun. I got nail stuff for Christmas (it's almost as if people think I'm into nails) so I played with it.

This was also my first go with caviar nails. It looked better without topcoat but mixing topcoatless caviar with work was just not going to happen. I liked the set, it comes with a plastic tray to catch beads that don't stick and a funnel to get them back in the bottle so you don't waste any.

Products used: Purple Glitter - Barry M (Magenta)

                       Pink Caviar - Primark (Breast Cancer Support Kit)

Island Paradise

Last year, my friend Siobhan (unexpectedgeek), who is the make up guru of our little shop, asked me to a summery design to promote bright nail vanishes. This is what I settled on.

I used a sponge to create the gradient effect, and applied a thin, cheap base coat before it set to help it all blend. It also gave me an excuse to try out the Barry M nail art pens and grab a few new colours.

I was quite impressed with the pen. It very east to use, almost like drawing with a felt tip. I did notice that I had to go over a few bits more than once to get a solid dark line. Also, do not leave off top coat! It wears off very easily if not sealed.

Products used: Pinky red - Barry M (Passion Fruit)

                       Orange - 17 (Orange Soda)

                       Yellow - Barry M (Limited Edition B)

                       Black - Barry M

Fierce Valentine

Last year I saw this design on cutepolish's youtube channel (see the original tutorial here) and I loved it, so this my attempt. I hope I did her look justice.

I think it's really cute, fun and quite simple to do. The wonder of leopard is that it's supposed to be organic and free form.

Products used: Beige - 17 (Forever)
                       Brown - Me Me Me
                       Red - Nails Inc. (Victoria & Albert)
                       Black - Rio Nail Art

Holiday Mix & Match

I went on holiday earlier this year and wanted something fun and bright on my nails. I well and truly jumped on the Mint Candy Apple bandwagon and did a mix & match look.

Hope you like.

Products used: Mint - Essie (Mint Candy Apple)
                       Dark Green - Barry M (Racing Green)
                       Silver Glitter - Barry M (Diamond)
                       Silver - Barry M Nail Art Pen

Swirly Thing Alert

Yeah, good name, right? (There is a prize for anyone who gets the reference*)

Anywho, I decided to do something simple, but that looked intrcate.

 Also a test of the Bourjois So Lacque nail varnishes.

I liked the Bourjois polish. I find pale colours usually streak without many thousands of coats, but this only took 2. It was also very shiny pre-topcoat.

Products used: Pale pink - Bourjois (Rose Lounge)

                       Black - Barry M

*The prize is an imaginary cupcake.

It's basically heaven

 So last year (yes, blogging fail) I entered and won a competition. And I thought I'd share what I won.

The competition was a collaboration of Avon & Marie Claire, and was a nail art contest (shock all round).

Needless to say I was pretty happy with this. The products I got were:
Gel strength base coat
French manicure set
Swift Sherbet Speed Dry polish
Sahara Sunrise nailwear pro+ polish*
Suddenly Sunny Speed Dry polish
ASAP Pink Speed Dry polish
Cherry Jubilee nailwear pro+ polish*
(Dark Purple) nailwear pro+ polish*
Fast Time Teal Speed Dry polish
All Khakied Out nailwear pro+ polish
Nail wraps in Inner Animal, Hot Pink Bling, Mosaic Flowers and True Zebra
Nail Art Tool

This calls for a new nail look!

This was my first go with nail wraps, so I'm not sure it's the smoothest application ever.

Products used: Teal - Avon (Fast Time Teal)

                       Nail wrap - Avon (Mosaic Flowers)
* I can't be sure about the colours here as there are no names on the bottles.