Vertical Stripes Zoya Manicure

Hallo! Its Tuesday again, and for now looks like I'm back to once a week Manis.
Things have been a little busier than I expected, but I'm trying to get back to twice a week Posts again. So please be patient. 

On the brighter side I have a new look for you this week!
Inspired by my new Zoya Polish in Skylar Blue! 

 

Tada! 

How do you like it? The blue is such a great medium color that I wanted to pop it with some gold. I choose China Glaze - Passion as my accent color and love the Egyptian Look that resulted. 

I did actually tape off for the stripes on this look >_>;; I know, I'm just that anal. And in the end the stripes aren't the same width at all! But at least they have clean edges :3 

I really do love this new taping thing, I mean once discovered I'd say it changed my nail polish design life! So many more options, without taking as much time. Although, I suppose if I practiced enough with a steady hand I could be even faster with a striping brush. 

Sorry, I know this look is a little sloppy, I didn't have quiet enough time to let it dry before going to sleep, thus the small nicks and scratches in it. Also I realized that Skylar is kind of a textured coat, which resulted little bumps in my gold stripes :< Whoops! 

Well hope you all enjoyed! Thank you for reading! 

-wanyachu

Purple Sparkles Monotone Manicure

Hi all! It's that time of the week again - and I'm here with a new look for ya! 

I recently picked up two new polishes from RiteAid this weekend and here are my results.

They are actually pretty much the same hue, but one is a straight up shimmer while the other polish is infused with violet glitter. At first, I was torn as which to get, since essentially they were the same color, but for some reason I just couldn't resist having them both. ^^; Besides at about a dollar a pop it wasn't too hard to say yes.

  

Since, they were so close in color I decided I wanted to do a monotone look. Originally I was just going to do something simple like an accent nail. But when I tried that out, I just felt it was too booring! 

So I thought why not get a little more adventurous! And thus I ended up with this look. Dotting, Taping, Striping and Chevrons everywhere! :P


My Lacquer List:
Wet n Wild Megalast - Disturbia 217B (Pretty Shimmer)
Wet n Wild Wild Shine - Night Prowl (Violet Glitter)

As you can see its pretty much the same color, but with different accents. And really, unless you're in the sunlight you won't be able to see all these subtle designs on my nails ^^;



I think I took the most photos for this look so far, because it was so hard getting the light to hit at the right angle! ^^; But there you have it. A sleek monotone look, without too much flair unless you pay attention to  the details.



Also I'm really digging the new wet n wild packaging. I know I mentioned in the previous Pastel Polka Dots French Nail Post, that they had new bottles. But their wide tipped brush makes applying this stuff a snap! And I'm all for easy :P

Well hope you all enjoyed. :D And please stay tuned for more manicures <3
Thank you!

-wanyachu 

Saharan Color-Block Manicure

Hi all! Hope you didn't think I wouldn't make it! Cuz here I am with my Manicure for the week! ^_^ 

Even though I had a busy weekend, and an even busier week so far

 I'm glad I was able to come up with something to share with you all <3

So here is my take on the Trendy Colorblock! 

This was kind of a fluke actually. Originally I had plan to do some fancy dots, bows and bling over this three layer cake, but once I had it done I fell in love!!! 

The simplicity of it all was really appealing to me, which is unusual since my taste is known to be a little over the top. But this color combo, of the pale pearlescent pink, deep dark raspberry, and almost neon coral color was too perfect to mar with extra distractions.

I think these colors worked so well with this minimal mani. It just oozes sophistication with a hint of playfulness in the pop of coral. 

So simple to boot! I just painted on the light pink and let it dry. Then I went back over the top half with the corally color. Once that was completely dry, I used tape to section off the middle portion and laid in my darker band. 

Lacquer List: 

Chanel  Le Vernis - Le Perle 

China Glaze - Evening Seduction 

Essie - Tart Deco 

I know, most people can probably do this without tape guides. But I'm just so anal it would bother me to no end >_>;;; Also I think, the crisp lines add to that Mod Look. 

So I hope you all enjoyed this look. Lately I've been going more simplistic over fruffy. I wonder how long that trend will last. ^^; 

What about you all? Do you prefer simple and clean or deco galore 

when it comes to your finger tips? 

I'd love to know! 

-wanyachu

Studded Chevron Half Moon Mani

Hi all! Banged out my second look for you this week.

 What started as horrible art block ended up being quiet  stylish in my opinion. I always love when this happens! Makes the struggle all the more worth it! :D

I have been doing some pretty cutesy, fruffy feeling stuff lately so I wanted to do something more Modern. So here is my take on a more edgy, half moon mani. I pulled this off with some simple scotch tape and a tube of bullion beads I had laying around.

I spent so long trying to come up with an elaborate design, but sometimes simple really is best. Although, I couldn't control my ostentatious ways complete. I just had to throw in those gold beads as little stud accents! 

I used some new lacquers I picked up from Ulta for this look. The deep purple is Essies' - No More Film. And the teal cream is M.A.C's - Ocean Dip. 

No More Film is a gorgeous purple color, even though it's erring a bit darker in the photos. In real life its a great violet color, specially in the sun!

Ocean Dip is also a nice teal; a great fit for summer! The color is not as saturated as most teals I've been seeing lately, but the muted nature of this polish really makes the Purple in No More Film come out. 

I took a thicker top coat this time and then went in with a toothpick to apply the beads as studs. Once they were firmly place and pressed in, I went back with another topper just to be safe. 

On my Third day of wear I still have most of my studs! Which was pretty impressive, since I was sure I would've lost more by now. But once a few more fall off I think I might just cheat and dot some gold polish back in with a toothpick. Its like the poor man effect! 

Hope ya'll enjoyed! 

-wanyachu

Clovers and Stripes St. Patty's Day Nails

Hello lovelies!!! 

I have a quick little manicure for you today. I know I usually post Mondays but, ever since my doggie emergency my Nail schedule has been thrown off. >_< So I hope you'll bear with my as I work my way back on track!!! 

 

I saw Pauline's flower nails over at omgnoodles and fell in love with the blossoms! (And her too! Her nail art is too awesome for words! This lady is crazy talent <3 ) SoI though I might give it a try but wanted to do them as shamrocks instead....unfortunately it was kinda fail T_T 

They still look like flowers to me...I should've added stems or something but I'm pretty sure that is beyond my skill level. 

The base is Sally Hansen Xtreme wear in Mint Sorbet. I am in LOVE with this lovely pastel shade of green and just had to have it when I saw it at the store. :3 I had been looking for a fresh minty color for quiet a while but I find that many of them are either too green or too blue for my taste. However, this polish definitely found the happy medium and brought my minty hunt to a happy conclusion. 

 I used my dotting tool and some scotch tape to make the "clovers," dots and stripes with OPI for Sephora in A-ha! Moment. Then finished up with some top coat loving. 

Looking closely at it now I wish I had just made them flowers instead :P Then I could've covered up the middles with some cute crystal or polish.

Lots of people thing they are more Easter-y and I can totally see why. They really do look like Easter Eggs especially with the pastel color, dots and stripes. >_>;;; So I guess I already have a plan for that week's nails! 

Hope you all enjoy and have a deliciously filled St. Patricks day ^___^ Honestly isn't this Holiday mostly about the good food and drinking? Whats not to enjoy!? 

-wanyachu    

Mod Plum & Green Two Tone Manicure Tutorial

Hi lovelies, I'm back again for another Manicure Monday look!

This time I tried to do something a little different and put together a picture tutorial for you all. 

(If impatient click here for Picture Tutorial)

But first here is the completed look I'll be sporting this week on my nails. I wanted to do something colorful and fun for the lovely weather we have been having in the Golden state.  

The color palette for this look actually comes from some bowls we are selling at work :P I thought it was such a fresh combo of lime and plum that I couldn't resist trying it out on my tips. So see! Work is not a complete drain of creative energy, sometimes it can be an inspiration as well!

Luckily enough I went home and dug through my polish box and came up with these two beauties.

The Nail Polishes:

I received the FACE polish as a gift, but never got a chance to try it out. The color is a sensuous medium tone violet called, Plum Forgotten. I had never heard of their polishes before and was pleasantly surprised with how smooth and saturated this lacquer is. Interestingly enough it also dries slightly matte, but you can't tell here because I top coated over the final look.

The lime green on the left is China Glaze in Entourage. This is a very saturated yellow-green, bordering on chartreuse with fun micro glitter. I've actually had this polish for quite a while, but it is just so overpoweringly electric when worn by itself I never gave it much thought. So when I stumbled upon it again I realized what great potential it had as an accent color! And thus this look was born! :3

So without further ado here is my little step by step. 
Lemme know if you guys have any questions!

Tutorial

Step 0: Paint your nails and let completely dry! Sorry forgot to take a picture of that but ya'll know the drill. I did alternating colors of Plum Forgotten and Entourage.

Step 1: To make a clean curve between the two colors I hole punched circles out of envelope labels. I wanted to use those paper hole protector thingys...what are they called even!? The reinforcement stickers that kind of look like donuts....

Anyways, the point is that I didn't have any, probably because I don't even know what they are called =_= So I improvised!

You can really use anything that will stick to your nail and has a curve to it. I even had a friend once who cut masking tape to match the arc she wanted...but that's super dedication I don't have v_v;

Step 2: Stick your guide (tape, label, hole protector...) onto your nail! Be sure to center the curve or else you will get crooked a crooked arc. Make sure the edge where you will be paint over is securely pressed down so you don't get any leaks.

Then go to town and Paint 'em up!

Step 3: Quickly but carefully remove your guide. I suggest taking it off right after you lay down your lacquer. You don't want to leave your guide on for too long, or else any leaks that did manage to seep under will get a chance to dry.

***more taping off tips at my Pink Petite Four Tape Tutorial***

Step 4: Get out a dotting tool (toothpick, bobby pin, whatever floats your boat) and go dot away! Here I used OPI for Sephora – You don't know Jacques and A-Ha! Moment.

Ta dah! Now you're done and ready to rock this playful retro, manicure!
Sorry ended up being more wordy that I had anticipated. So to make it up for your candy starved eyes some more pretty pictures:P

Are you guys sick of seeing my garden foliage yet?
I will try to come up with more interesting props next time!

Thank you for reading! And please leave me any questions, comments, criticism, love...it will all be much appreciated!!!

-wanyachu  

Pink Petit Four Mani w/ Tape Tutorial

Hi everyone! I'm sorry I missed my usually Monday post, but I have a really fun manicure to make up for it! :D

Inspired by some delicious treats and just in time for Valentine's Day I give you the Pink Petite Four scotch tape manicure! :D 

Okay so the right terminology might actually be Checker Cookies and not Petite Four...but Pink Checker Cookie Mani just doesn't sound as cute IMO. So I am sorry for misleading you! v_v;;; I mean there’s four squares...does that count for anything!?

Either way, don't they look delicious? ^_^ I'm super pleased with how this turned out, even if it was way more work than I had originally anticipated.

So I started off with two coats of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri: Pink Blink and let dry completely! This is super important, otherwise when you go to put down the scotch tape it will smudge your base coat. I think I waited around 3 - 5 minutes just to be safe.

I then tore off small sections of tape and cut those in half. This left me with good sized strips to block off the first square on my nails. I then went through taping & painting this first square onto each of my fingertips. Remember to press firmly along the tape edges so you get a crisp line.

For the chocolate color I used OPI for Sephora – Studs & Stilettos, pictured above, in relatively thin, fast coats. You don't want to use too much polish while blocking off, or else things will get messy when you try to pull up the tape.

I also found it helpful to peel the tape off right after you lay down the polish instead of waiting for it to dry completely. This not only gave a cleaner line but also some time to swipe up any polish that leaked under the tape with a q-tip dabbed in acetone.

Once the first round of quartering was finished on both hands I went back in to add the second square. By now the first finger I had painted was dry enough for me to restart the process again. Just be careful to line up your tape with the edges of the first chocolate square you painted.

I ended up adding some faux pearls and crystals in the center and Voila you're done! ^_^

Hope you enjoyed this sweet manicure and if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below :D

Thanks!

-wanyachu