World Cup Nails

Hi guys!! So I am a little bit late with these, I was supposed to post these before the World Cup started but I just never got around to it.

When it comes to football (or soccer for my American followers) I'm not as passionate as I once was many moons ago. But the World Cup it all comes back and I'm like a football hooligan again. 

I initially started these nails to show support for England but once I had completed the England Flag I thought it would be a great idea to paint lots of different flags of what I thought would the main contenders for the cup. Obviously we have since been disappointed by the shocking exists in the group stages with Spain, Portugal, England and Italy all out. 

Unfortunately I don't have any hand shots but I have individual close ups, some are much blurrier than others, these pictures where taken in the night and then I had to remove them before I prayed so I never got any good shots of them. 

So here the are...

Polishes I used:

Essie 3in1 Base

Barry M White

Barry M Blood Orange

Barry M Blue Plum

Sally Hansen Lightening

Sally Hansen Raven

OPI Jade is the New Black

Funky Fingers Tortuga

Barry M Blue Moon

Seche Vite

I also used:

Striping Tape

3x Fine Detail Nail Art Brush

I am super happy with how Spain and Portugal turned out! They aren't very detailed but they look great from far!! Haha!

As you have probably noticed there are only 8 flags and I have 10 fingers. I did do Germany aswell, but once I had watermarked it and saved it, there was an error so I couldn't upload it and I didn't have any other pictures. But I did run out of patience to do my final finger so I only managed 9 flags. #flop

I was rooting for England but as they are out I am now rooting for Holland (Netherlands)

, don't ask why, I just am. Hoping for  Holland vs Brazil final. Fingers crossed!!

Thanks for reading!!

Watermelon Nails

Hi guys!! As most of may already know Ramadhan has started. The fast are long but surprisingly not as hard as I had imagined. Still 18hrs without food is a lot so naturally the moment I look forward to in a day is when I can open my fast (iftaar) and get some grub in me!!

So today's nail art is inspired by what I eat everyday at iftaar and is by far one of my favourite fruits. The Watermelon. 

Polishes I used:

Essie 3in1 Base

Sally Hansen Lickety Split Lime

Sally Hansen Presto Pink

Sally Hansen Raven

Seche Vite

I also used:

Dark Green Nail Art Pen (ebay)

Fine Short Nail Art Brush x2

I started off by one coat of Lickety Split Lime over my base coat, once dry I created a ruffian with Presto Pink. Using the Dark Green Nail Art Pen I brought from ebay, I opened it to use the stripper brush and drew lines over Lickety Split Lime. Using one of the nail art brushes I lined the ruffian with Lickety Split Lime to cover when the dark green had gone out onto Presto Pink. Finally I used the 2nd nail art brush and painted on the seed using Raven. Fiishing it all off with a coat of Seche Vite. 

Barry M Floral Nail Art

Hi guys!! Today I have some floral nail art for you to suit the lovely weather we are getting. so glad to finally be rid of the rain. for how long? Who knows, but I for one will be sure to try and make the most of it whilst it lasts. 

I'd say floral freehand nail art is probably the worst nail art I do, I can do roses fairly good, but anything else and the mind is blown. So when I did these and they were't so bad I had to share them with y'all. 

Polishes I used:

Duri Rejuvacote

Barry M White

Barry M Grapefruit

Barry M Mushroom

Seche Vite

I also used:

A fine detailing nail art brush

I am very unorthadox when it comes to using paint brushes, I basically pick one brush and use it for everything. I used the same brush for the flowers and leaves, and even the centers of the flowers. That is just how I roll. 

I have since had a major chip on my index finger where the whole tip came off and I didn't even realise until I tried to scratch an itch. So its back to nubbins and square nails even though I was really enjoying almond shaped nails (they are round here but I had grown them a bit more since doing these and shaped them into almond shaped nails. And I didn't even get to share them with you!). 

Thanks for reading!!

Movie Mani: X-MEN Days Of Future Past

So, a bit late on posting this, I did this when X-Men came out and never got a chance to post these. 

But I finally have some time for this super quick post and I hope you like these. 

My inspiration in the corner

Polishes I used:

Essie 3in1 Base

Sally Hansen Wet Cement

Barry M Grey

Sally Hansen Brisk Blue

Barry M Blood Orange

Nails Inc Hampstead Gardens

Seche Vite

I also used:

Striping Tape

Fine Detail Nail Art Brush

I used 3 strips of tape side by side to get the thickness of the X on my middle, ring and pinky finger. 

Thanks for reading!!

Funky Fingers Tortuga Tips

Hi guys! Another super quick post of some super simple nails. I wanted to some simple french tips but as its been so sunny in the UK lately I thought I would go neon. I picked Funky Fingers Tortuga. 

Its a scented polish, and to be honest I can't really put my finger on what the smell is supposed to be. 

As usual I went ahead and freehand painted the french tips.

Imagine it to be more neon though, my camera didn't do a very good job of capturing it.  

Polishes I used:

Essie 3in1 Base

Funky Fingers Tortuga

Seche Vite

Normally I am not a big fan of neons on me, they make my hands look dark and just don't compliment my skin tone but these I actually really loved and my hands don't look too bad. 

If your like me and neons don't look great on you try using just a pop of neon in your mani. It might just do the trick. 

Thanks for reading!! 

Barry M Texture Nail Art

Hi guys!! Soooo...I had a major chip on my index. Sad times. In an attempt so save my nail length I decided to round off my nails. My index nail is still a little shorter than the rest but I am hoping to level them all off once the index nail gets a bit longer and I can attempt Almond shaped nails. They just look so pretty on everyone and well... I was pretty nails too!! 

I hadn't broken out the old Barry M's in a while and as I recently purchased some of their texture effect polishes I thought I would try some simple nail art on this new nail shape. 

Lets have a look at what I created then I will tell you what polishes I used.

Polishes I used:

Essie 3in1 Base

Barry M Blue Grape

Barry M Majesty

I didn't use a topcoat on this, Barry M Gellys are super glossy by themselves, plus I did not want to take away from the texture effect of Majesty. 

Majesty is probably one of my favourite polishes at the moment, my pictures do it no justice and it is just soo much prettier in real life. 

As per usual no guides to do the glitter tips just free handed them and hoped for the best. Although I know you can get guides/vinyls to help you get neater cleaner lines. 

Something simple, quick and easy to do, great for a special occasion or a night out or if your me then a normal day! haha! 

Thanks for reading!!

Neon Studs

Just a quick post you guys today as its another old mani I never got a chance to take good pictures of. I mean even my cuticles are extremely dry in this picture. But I love this mani too much for me not to share. 

Grey with just about any coloured neon is just perfect in my opinion. It makes the neon not too in your face, plus neon colours tend to make my hands look dark so having just a pop of neon on the grey means I get to wear neons. :)

Polishes I used:

Duri Rejuvacote 

Sally Hansen Wet Cement

Seche Vite

I also used:

Dotting tool (to pick up the studs)

Neon studs, square and round

Normally I use nail glue to stick the studs/rhinestones on my nails but this time I used some Seche Vite to secure them ad they are relatively flat and less likely to fall off. I love this colour combo and will definitely be using it for some future nail art!!

Thanks for reading!!

Tealy French Tips

Hi guys! Sorry for the log absence, I have found myself yet again lacking inspiration when it comes to nail art and hence not been able to create new posts for y'all. I was just going through some of my older nail art pictures when I came across some nail art that I had forgotten to post. Although it be rather simple I'm sure you will appreciate how lovely it looks. 

Polishes I used:

Duri Rejuvacote

Teal holographic franken

Illamasqua Muse

Seche Vite

I made the teal franken by mixing a green and blue jelly polish (I have forgotten the brand and polish name, sorry guys, but I made this donkeys years ago) and then added some spectraflair to it til I got the holographic effect above. I also free hand painted the french tips, it would be neater with some tape but I am far too impatient to wait for the base polish to COMPLETELY dry. 

Thanks for reading!!

I am MANI-LOCKED - Sherlock Nail Art

A very happy new year to you all!! A little belated but I have a lovely nail art post for you all to try and make it up. I am posting a mani of how I started my year. With the new season of SHERLOCK!! The final episode is tonight*wipes tear*, so I thought it fitting to do a mani for it. 

Sherlock airs in US on the 19th and Fierce Make-Up and Nails and Gnarly Gnails have created I AM MANILOCKED nail art challenge. Details how to be part of this are at the bottom of the page along with a gallery of the manis people have posted. 

I am a massive Sherlock fan, I have the complete collection of books, watched the movies and of course BBC's Sherlock, which is ah-may-zing!!

I used my collection of Sherlock Holmes books for inspiration for this mani, and specifically chose His Last Bow, seeing as the last episode is called His Last Vow. Rather fitting don't you think??

Here is a picture of the book I used for inspiration as well as the polishes I used for the nail art. 

So that is the inspiration behind my design, lets take a look at what I came up with...

I used the spine of the book and TRIED to replicate it on my accent nail

I used the damask style (kinda) print on the cover of the book on my nails using a stamping plate (details of which one I used will be below). I then added some pink 2mm rhinestones to try and make the nail art flow and match the accent nail which I tried to copy from the spine of the book. I thought I did not too bad a job. 

Polished I used:

Duri Rejuvacote

Barry M Grey

Sally Hansen Wet Cement 

Sally Hansen Raven

OPI I'm India Mood For Love

Seche Vite

I also used:

Nail Glue

2mm Pink Rhinestones

Red Angel Stamping Plate RA112

Stamper and Scraper

Fine Nail Art Brush

Will you be watching Shelock tonight?? Share your Sherlock Mani if you do one!
#MANILOCKED2014 to share your picture on Instagram and to share it on your blog go to www.tinyurl.com/manilocked2014 I would love to see them!!

It's Christmas!! Candy Cane Nail Art

A super duper quick for you all today. I wasn't going to post today as I worked a night shift and and going to one later tonight but seeing as I couldn't sleep I did some very rushed Candy Cane inspired nails. They are very rough and no where near as neat as I would have liked but I did them and I had to post them. 

Lets take a look...

I still think they look nice even though they look a little hastly put on. I did these straight after a 12 and half hour night shift and didn't put on the topcoat right to the edges which is why the edges look especially roughed up. 

Polish I used:

OPI Nail Envy Maintenance

Sally Hansen Lavender Cloud

Nails Inc Mini Holly Blush Vale

Seche Vite

I also used:

Green Nail Art Striper Pen

1cm Long Striper Nail Art Brush

So that my Christmas mani, even though I have to take it off because I have work later tonight. :( 

Christmas Nails - Holly French Tips

As promised today I have some more Christmas inspired nail art. These actually turned out better than expected. I was really worried I would have to scrap this idea for fear I would not be able to do the leaves but as it turns out they are not so bad; even if I say so myself. 

This mani is pretty straight forward; tape of the nails and paint a french tip. Then add 3 rhinestones to each nail close to the top corner of the nail. rhinestones save so much time and look much prettier than the standard polish and dotting tool. 

The hardest part of the mani was the leaves. I just drew a diamond with curved sides on either side of the rhiestones and then added some details with a dark green Nail Art Striper Pen which I got off eBay a very long time ago. 

Polishes I used:

OPI Nail Envy Maintanance 

Revlon Emerald City

Sally Hansen Lickety-Split Lime

Seche Vite

I also used:

Red 2mm Rhinestones

Dark Green Nail Art Striper Pen

1x Detailing Nail Art Brush

Christmas Nails - Rhinestone Christmas Tree

I have been meaning to post this mani for a week now but I have been super busy with work and working nights means my timing is always out and also that I am always tired. I actually wore this mani for 2days before I even took pictures hence why you will see some tip wear.

 I have a few more Christmas nail art posts that I want to get out before its Christmas and with only 4 days left I hope I can get them all posted. 

I decided on doing a ChristmadsTree accent using rhinestones and thought I would try one of my untried polish on the rest of the nails. Nubar Reclaim, what can I say?! Isn't it just beautiful?? It is a green linear holo polish and my pictures do it no justice at all. 

I used a few different rhinestones on this mani, the star shaped one is from a set I brought from Poundland and I am pretty sure it is still available, the rest are 2mm rhinestones which are widely available on eBay. I'm not sure if you can tell in the pictures but I also used gold caviar/microbeads in and between the green rhinestones to look like little baubles. 

This mani would've lasted a long time, and I didn't even use a topcoat, just let the polishes air dry. I would've kept them on longer if I didn't have to remove it for work. 

Polishes I used:

OPI Nail Envy Maintance

Nubar Reclaim

Milani 3D

 I also used:

Nail Glue

2mm Rhinestones in Green and Gold

Gold Caviar/Microbeads 

Star Rhinestone 

Christmas Nails - Santa and his Little Helpers

It's Decemeber and Christmas is almost here. I don't celebrate Christmas but I couldn't help do some Chistmas inspired nail art. Over the past few year I have always seen other bloggers do christmas inspired nails and have always wanted to do some myself. So this year you will be having more than one Christmas inspired mani. I hope they inspire you and maybe you will chose to do one of these designs for Christmas yourselves for those who celebrate it. 

So for my first Xmas post we have the nail art which I was looking forward to doing the most. Santa and his Little Helpers. I am so pleased with how these turned out. Exactly how I imagined them! 

Lets take a look...

I used black striping tape for the belts on the elf costumes because I was a wuss and didn't wanna get a wobbly thin line and ruin it. Haha! 

Polishes I used:

Duri Rejuvacote 

OPI Jade is the New Black

Barry M Blood Orange

Sally Hansen Lightening

Sally Hansen Raven

Barry M Gold Foil

H&M Matte Topcoat

I also used:

2x fine nail art brush

Dotting tool

Striping tape

The santa costume is pretty easy, a red base with a white line down the middle. Then a black line across for the belt and then yellow square for the buckle. And your done. 

The elf costumes, i started with a half moon green base. Then painted on the red spikes for the collar. Then i used the dotting tool to put on the yellow buttons. Added the black striping tape for the belt and used gold polish for the buckle. And your done. 

I am super proud of these. They are exactly how I imagined and to be honest they are my favourites so far! Granted I have only done these so far but still!! 

Hope you like them and thanks for reading! 

OPI Black Cherry Chutney

The Great British weather is in full flow this winter. Temperatures have dropped, wind is blowing, I am thankful it hasn't rained/snowed much yet though I fear it won't be long until we lose that luxury as well. 

When such weather is upon us, the bright/neon colours are out, and the darker more muted colours are in. 

I have been feeling vampy colours calling to me this season.
So off I popped to my Helmer and polish stand to find some vampy colours to chose from and realised I don't have many vampy colors at all. Of course now I will be on a "buy all the vampy polishes" shopping spree which no doubt will hurt my pocket but boost my happiness. Haha!

But for today's post I will show you the colour I picked for the vampy mood the weather has brought. I picked OPI Black Cherry Chutney. It is my of my most favourite polishes in my stash, and one I have had a long time.  It is such an understated polish, It is a dark burgundy sometimes even looks close to black in the shade, yet in the sun it sparkles some red.



In the pictures it is directly under hthe light coming from the lamp so you can see the reddish sparkles.

Polishes I used:

Essie 3in1 Base

OPI Black Cherry Chutney

I didnt't use a top coat with this, I just let it air dry. Its glossy enough and dries quick enough. :)

Thanks for reading!!

Doctor Who Nails - Better Late Than Never!!

I'm a little late to the party but I have been waiting to do Doctor Who nails for a very long time and if I don't do them now, I fear I never will. 

Everyone posted their Doctor Who manis on Saturday when 'The Day Of The Doctor' was aired marking the shows 50th anniversary. I was supposed to do my mani then too but like an idiot I forgot it was coming on until an hour before.  Doh! 

But I couldn't let opportunity pass me so I pulled out my brushes and a hell of a lot of polishes and got to work.

I had a few images that I used to inspire me with the nail art so I will show all those first before I show you how I transformed them into a mani. 

And here is how I incorporated them into a manicure. Unfortuately my DSLR ran out of juice and I can't find the charger so these pictures have been taken on my phone except for the last picture which was taken on my DSLR before it died. I hope these are good enough!

I did the Doctor Who official intial/logo on my thumb

Bad Wolf on my index finger, referring to the 1st season and it was also mentioed in Saturdays show. 

The TARDIS on my middle finger.. well a part of it. 

And some Galaxy nail art on my ring and pinky seeing as the Doctor does travel through time and SPACE. 

Polishes I used:

Essie 3in1 Base

Nails Inc Baker Street (Base on all nails)

Sally Hansen Wet Cement (DW logo)

Sally Hansen Lavender Cloud (all white detailing)

Sally Hansen Raven (used on middle finger)

Max Factor Odyssey Blue (one coat on ring and pinky)

OPI Yoga-ta Get This Blue

OPI Grape Wall Of China (sponged on for galaxy)

Sally Hansen Presto Pink (sponged on for galaxy)

Seche Vite

I also used:

3x Fine Detailing Nail Art Brush

Dotting Tool

Cosmetic Sponge

The Galaxy was a bit of a fail, The colours didn't blend I as well as I would've liked but I still think they look pretty great otherwise I'm really happy with how these turned out! I think for next time I may do the full Tardis in the galaxy... who knows when that will be though! 

Thanks for reading!